Thesis Title:
"Human Protection from Autonomous Weapon Systems in International Law: Ensuring Human Control and Upholding Human Rights"
Justification:
This title encapsulates the core issues discussed in the provided research papers, focusing on the necessity of human control over autonomous weapon systems (AWS) and the protection of human rights under international law.
Supporting Citations:
- Human Rights and AWS: The importance of human rights in the context of AWS is emphasized, arguing that meaningful human control is essential to comply with international human rights law, particularly the right to life and privacy.
- Legal Obligations and Human Control: The deployment of AWS in military operations necessitates human control, which is not only a political demand but also a legal obligation derived from international humanitarian law.
- Human Dignity and Moral Agency: The delegation of lethal decision-making to AWS erodes human dignity and moral agency, which are crucial for maintaining international law and ethical standards.
- International Prohibition and Human Rights: Establishing an international prohibition on AWS is argued to be necessary based on human rights and humanitarian principles, ensuring that lethal force is not used without human judgment.
- Positive Human Rights Obligations: States have positive human rights obligations to ensure that AWS are used in a manner that complies with the right to life and other human rights, particularly in law enforcement operations.
- Domestic Law Enforcement and Human Rights: The use of AWS in domestic law enforcement raises significant human rights concerns, particularly regarding the right to life and dignity, necessitating higher standards of human control.
By integrating these perspectives, the thesis title reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the legal and ethical challenges posed by AWS, emphasizing the need for human oversight to protect fundamental human rights.