ARMED DRONES

Tim HarmanQCEA 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.

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....

Countries with armed-drone development programmes

China France Germany Greece

India Iran Italy Israel

Lebanon North Korea

Pakistan Russia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan Tunisia TurkeyUnited Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

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).

The future — killer robots?

ARMED DRONES ANDEUROPEAN POLITICS

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.

Armed drones and the EU

Pushing for drone development

Many Member State governments

European Defence Agency

European Council

European Commission

Cautious

European Parliament

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.

Armed drones and the PACE

TAKING ACTION ONARMED DRONES

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

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.

Thank you for listening!