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ARMED DRONES Tim Harman QCEA Programme Assistant. What is an armed drone?. A remote-controlled flying robot that carries weapons. Who uses armed drones?. Armed drones were developed by the US Air Force around the turn of the twenty-first century.
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What is an armed drone? A remote-controlled flying robot that carries weapons
Who uses armed drones? • Armed drones were developed by the US Air Force around the turn of the twenty-first century. • The US government remains the most extensive user of armed drones. • The two other main users are the Israeli and UK governments. • But armed drones are proliferating....
Why are armed drones a problem? • Lethal violence made easy and pain-free (for the government inflicting it). • “Targeted killing” takes killing beyond the battlefield. • Many civilian casualties. • Civilian populations living in a climate of fear. • Easy killing leads to disregard for international law (e.g. rules protecting civilians).
Armed drones and the EUEU Member State governments • The UK government is already one of the major users of armed drones. • Some other Member States are developing armed drones.
Armed drones and the EUEuropean Defence Agency • Aims to foster military cooperation within the EU. • Has been promoting EU cooperation on drone development since its foundation in 2004. • Set up “drone club” in 2013 (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain).
Armed drones and the EUEuropean Council • Met in December 2013 to set EU security and defence policy. • European Defence Agency proposed making drone development a priority. • European Council accepted this suggestion. • European Council to review EU security and defence policy in June 2015.
Armed drones and the EUEuropean Commission • Has no direct say on military policy, but has power through control of EU funds. • Uses EU funds (especially research funds) to promote drone development. • Evades EU law banning military research funding using “dual-use” loophole.
Armed drones and the EUEuropean Parliament • Has no direct say on military policy, but can have some influence. • Passed a resolution on 27 February 2014 criticising the current direction of EU armed drone policy.
The European Parliament's27 February 2014 resolution • Called for respect for international law and human rights. • Called for an outright ban on “killer robots”. • Asked the European Commission not to fund any more drone development projects without a human rights assessment.
Cautious European Parliament Armed drones and the EU • Pushing for drone development • Many Member State governments • European Defence Agency • European Council • European Commission
Armed drones and the PACETimeline • April 2013: Twenty members of PACE proposed a motion on armed drones. • June 2013: The matter was referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. • March 2015: The committee produced a report. • April 2015: A PACE plenary session considered the report.
Armed drones and the PACEThe March 2015 report • Expresses concern that armed drones make resort to violence easier and more common. • Expresses concern about violations of international law and human rights. • Governments that provide intelligence that facilitates illegal drone strikes are complicit. • The report refers back to the European Parliament's 27 February 2014 resolution.
Armed drones and the PACEThe March 2015 report • PACE asked to vote on a resolution calling for respect for international law and human rights in the use of armed drones. • PACE also asked to vote on referring the matter to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
What have I done so far? • Research, research, research! • Two articles in Around Europe. • Set up Armed Drones Group. • Action Alert on PACE debate (with Andrew). • Attended PACE in Strasbourg. • Talking to you!
The Armed Drones Group • Met in March 2015 at Quaker House, Brussels. • Ten different organisations represented. • Range of views from “ban all armed drones” to “make sure international law is obeyed”. • Range of approaches from grass-roots activism to engagement with national/international politics. • Agreed to meet again after three months.
What am I planning to do next? • Blog about the PACE debate. • Write to the European Commission about their lack of response to the European Parliament. • Write a background paper on armed drones. • Organise the next Armed Drones Group meeting. • May give a presentation at the drone activists' conference in London in July.
What can you do? • Be informed! • Spread the word. • Lobby your representatives. • Join a local campaign group. • Support organisations that work on armed drones.