Act for the International Regulation of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems

ACT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF LETHAL AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS

Preamble

The World Parliament,

Deeply concerned by the potential humanitarian, ethical, and legal implications of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS),

Reaffirming the imperative of upholding international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and other applicable international law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution,

Recognizing the profound ethical implications of delegating critical decisions concerning the use of force to machines, and the necessity to preserve human dignity and human control over life-and-death decisions,

Desiring to prevent an arms race in LAWS and to ensure global peace and security,

Emphasizing the need for clear responsibility and accountability for actions taken by or with the assistance of weapons systems,

Has resolved to establish a comprehensive international regulatory framework for Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems.

Article 1: Definitions

For the purpose of this Act:

1. "Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS)" refers to weapons systems that, once activated, can select and engage targets autonomously, without further human intervention.
2. "Meaningful Human Control" refers to a level of human involvement sufficient to ensure compliance with international law, facilitate human accountability, and enable human judgment in the application of force. This includes the ability to intervene, abort, or disengage the weapon system prior to the engagement of targets, and to ensure predictable and understandable system behavior within defined parameters.
3. "Critical Functions" refers to the functions encompassing the searching for, detection, identification, tracking, selection, and engagement of targets.

Article 2: Core Principles and Prohibitions

1. Adherence to International Law: The design, development, deployment, and use of all LAWS shall at all times be in full compliance with international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and other applicable international law.
2. Meaningful Human Control Imperative: All LAWS shall be designed, developed, deployed, and used under meaningful human control over their critical functions.
3. Prohibition of Certain LAWS: State Parties shall be prohibited from developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, transferring, or using:
a. LAWS that operate without meaningful human control over their critical functions.
b. LAWS that are inherently incapable of complying with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution under international humanitarian law.
c. LAWS designed or deployed to target human beings directly, where such engagement occurs without specific, real-time human authorization for each individual instance of force application.

Article 3: Obligations of State Parties

1. National Implementation: Each State Party shall take all necessary legislative, administrative, and other measures to implement the provisions of this Act within its jurisdiction, including the establishment of effective national control mechanisms.
2. Due Diligence in Development and Deployment: State Parties shall ensure that the design, development, testing, and deployment of all LAWS, not explicitly prohibited under Article 2(3), adhere strictly to the principle of meaningful human control and are subject to rigorous ethical, legal, and operational review.
3. Review Mechanisms: State Parties shall establish or designate national mechanisms for the comprehensive ethical and legal review of LAWS, ensuring compliance with this Act prior to their acquisition or deployment.
4. Transparency and Reporting: State Parties shall annually report to the World Parliament on their national policies, practices, and developments concerning LAWS, particularly regarding measures taken to ensure meaningful human control and compliance with this Act.
5. Responsibility and Accountability: State Parties shall ensure clear lines of responsibility and accountability for the development, deployment, and use of LAWS, ensuring that individuals responsible for their operation and any resultant violations of international law can be held accountable under national and international law.

Article 4: International Cooperation and Assistance

1. Information Exchange: State Parties shall cooperate in the exchange of information regarding the technical, legal, and ethical challenges posed by LAWS, with a view to fostering a common understanding and promoting best practices.
2. Technical Assistance: State Parties shall endeavor to provide technical assistance to other State Parties seeking to implement the provisions of this Act, particularly regarding the establishment of national review mechanisms and control measures.

Article 5: Verification and Compliance

1. Monitoring Body: A dedicated monitoring body, operating under the auspices of the World Parliament, shall be established to oversee the implementation of and compliance with this Act.
2. Consultation and Clarification: State Parties may seek clarification from the monitoring body regarding the implementation of this Act. The monitoring body shall facilitate consultations between State Parties to address any concerns regarding compliance.

Article 6: Review Conferences

1. Periodic Reviews: A Review Conference of the State Parties shall be convened every five years, or earlier if deemed necessary by the World Parliament, to review the operation and status of this Act, and to consider any amendments or updates required by technological advancements, evolving legal interpretations, or emergent ethical considerations.

Article 7: Entry into Force

1. This Act shall enter into force for the State Parties upon the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession with the World Parliament.