New Weapons and Old Law: Can International Humanitarian Law Treaties Deal Adequately with Modern Technologies?

Abstract

Military technology is developing incredibly fast. Drones, Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS), and Cyberwarfare instruments have been resorted to by states and non-state actors in warfare. Yet, the developments and emerging challenges have not resulted in formal amendments to the existing regulatory framework of International law. Some believe that the current regime is required to be amended in accordance with developing technologies. Others support the idea that the rules and principles of the existing International Humanitarian Law regime need to be re-evaluated and re-interpreted according to changing conditions on the ground that a formal amendment process does not seem to be a feasible option because of the resistance of the powerful international actors. At this point, formidable questions arise such as; What are the challenges to interpreting existing rules and standards of the IHL regime amidst the increasing developing technologies? What levels of autonomy will be permissible for AWS to ensure compliance with international law principles, i.e., the principle of distinction in warfare? Which technologies or certain weapons can/should be restricted and outlawed? This article aims to come up with satisfying answers to these and further questions.

Keywords

• Autonomous Weapons System
• Drones
• Amendments
• Re-interpretation of the Existing Regime

Yeni Silahlar ve Eski Hukuk: Uluslararası İnsancıl Hukuk Metinleri Modern Teknolojiler ile Yeterli Düzeyde Başa Çıkabilir mi?

Abstract

Askeri teknoloji son derece hızlı bir şekilde gelişmekte. Dronlar, Otonom Silah Sistemleri (AWS) ve Siber savaş araçlarına devletler ve devlet dışı aktörler tarafından başvurulmakta. Ancak bu gelişmeler ve bunlara bağlı olarak ortaya çıkan sorunlar, henüz uluslararası hukuk metinlerinde herhangi bir değişikliğe sebebiyet vermedi. Bazı yazarlar, Uluslararası hukuk rejiminin gelişen teknolojiye ayak uydurularak değiştirilmesi gerektiğini iddia etmekteler. Diğerleri ise güçlü aktörlerin uluslararası hukuk normların değiştirilmesine direnç göstereceği gerekçesine dayanarak uluslararası hukuk normlarının değiştirilmek yerine daha makul bir çözüm olan yeniden yorumlanması gerektiğini ileri sürmektedirler. Bu aşamada, cevap bulması güç olan bazı sorular ortaya çıkmakta. Örneğin; gelişen teknoloji ışığında uluslararası hukukun kural ve standartlarının yorumlanmasında ne gibi güçlüklerle karşılaşılabilir? Yahut uluslararası hukukun prensipleri ile uyumlu olabilmesi için otonom silah sistemlerine hangi dereceye kadar otonomluk verilmelidir? Son olarak hangi teknolojiler veya spesifik silahlar yasaklanmalıdır? Yazar, makalede bu ve buna benzer sorulara yanıt bulmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Otonom Silah Sistemleri
• Dronlar
• Norm Değişikliği
• Normların Yeniden Yorumlanması.

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