1-20 of 22 results for subject:"Unmanned air systems"
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government what analysis they have made of the report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ben Emmerson QC in February on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; and what plans, if any, they have to implement the recommendations in...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what analysis they have made of the report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ben Emmerson QC in February on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; and what plans, if any, they have to implement the recommendations in...
We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur which identifies a number of interesting legal questions. We are carefully considering the recommendations. The Government’s position is that existing international law covers the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the European Parliament resolution of 27 February on the use of armed drones, and in particular its calls upon member states (1) to ensure that they do not facilitate extrajudicial targeted killing by other states through the use of...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the European Parliament resolution of 27 February on the use of armed drones, and in particular its calls upon member states (1) to ensure that they do not facilitate extrajudicial targeted killing by other states through the use of...
The UK notes the European Parliament resolution on the use of armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The UK also notes the UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism’s latest report. This report, and the one presented to the General Assembly last year, identified a number of pertinent legal questions, which the UK is considering. The UK’s position is that existing international law sufficiently covers the use of RPAS, and that the use of RPAS strikes against terrorist targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the draft Council Conclusions to be put to the European Council on 19–20 December in respect of (1) co-operation on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, (2) the deployment of European Union battlegroups, (3) cybersecurity, (4) the development of a maritime security...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the draft Council Conclusions to be put to the European Council on 19–20 December in respect of (1) co-operation on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, (2) the deployment of European Union battlegroups, (3) cybersecurity, (4) the development of a maritime security...
The draft European Council Conclusions were discussed on 19-20 December in Brussels. I will update the House in January 2014 on the outcome of the European Council.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of drone surveillance on the civilian population in Gaza.[HL3545]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of drone surveillance on the civilian population in Gaza.[HL3545]
We have carried out no assessment of the effect of drone surveillance on the population in Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. [HL1118]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. [HL1118]
The British Government has not made an assessment of the reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the joint study by Stanford University and New York University on United States drone practices in Pakistan; and what plans they have to help minimise the impact of drone strikes on the civilian population of Pakistan. [HL6685]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the joint study by Stanford University and New York University on United States drone practices in Pakistan; and what plans they have to help minimise the impact of drone strikes on the civilian population of Pakistan. [HL6685]
The British Government are aware of the study. The Government’s position is that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) against terrorist targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all concerned to act in accordance with international law including taking all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek the inclusion of unmanned aerial vehicles in discussions at the United Nations conference on the arms trade treaty.[HL5887]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will seek the inclusion of unmanned aerial vehicles in discussions at the United Nations conference on the arms trade treaty.[HL5887]
The Government has consistently argued for the arms trade treaty to cover all conventional arms—which in our view would include military unmanned aerial vehicles— and to keep pace with technological change so that it retains its relevance over time. We will continue to argue for this at the negotiations to conclude the treaty from 18 to 28 March.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for a robust legal framework to ensure that there is accountability and reparation when things have gone wrong as a result of drone attacks, as suggested by the United Nations Special Rapporteur.[HL5676]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for a robust legal framework to ensure that there is accountability and reparation when things have gone wrong as a result of drone attacks, as suggested by the United Nations Special Rapporteur.[HL5676]
The Government’s position is that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles against terrorist targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that when drone attacks take place information is recorded on (1) the extent of civilian casualties, (2) the identity of those targeted, and (3) the legality of strikes in cases where the United Nations does not recognise that there...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that when drone attacks take place information is recorded on (1) the extent of civilian casualties, (2) the identity of those targeted, and (3) the legality of strikes in cases where the United Nations does not recognise that there...
The Government’s position is that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles against terrorist targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Israel’s use of drones in Gaza on civilians, and in particular, children. [HL5135]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Israel’s use of drones in Gaza on civilians, and in particular, children. [HL5135]
We are aware of reports of the use of drones by the Israeli authorities but have not made an assessment of their use. We have consistently urged Israel to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of frequent drone flights on the civilian populations of parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and in particular on children. [HL4235]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of frequent drone flights on the civilian populations of parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and in particular on children. [HL4235]
The UK operates remotely piloted aircraft systems in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan. The rules of engagement are the same as those for manned aircraft. Drone strikes against terrorist targets in Pakistan are a matter for the states involved. We expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law and take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to take measures to prevent worldwide proliferation of unmanned aircraft, in particular those armed for attacks.[HL3969]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to take measures to prevent worldwide proliferation of unmanned aircraft, in particular those armed for attacks.[HL3969]
The UK is strongly committed to the need for appropriate controls on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including those that are armed. The UK is one of 34 states which make up the missile technology control regime (MTCR) and which work together to prevent the proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This includes UAVs. The MTCR rests on adherence to common export policy guidelines (the MTCR guidelines) applied to an agreed list of controlled items. The UK supports MTCR outreach to non-members to work towards wider adherence to the MTCR guidelines.
I am not sure what specific work is ongoing in relation to that, but I can write to the noble Lord to confirm. Of course this is a highly difficult issue; there are emotions and views on both sides of this argument. However, using unmanned air systems in Afghanistan provides vital intelligence for us in support of our forces on the ground.
I am not sure what specific work is ongoing in relation to that, but I can write to the noble Lord to confirm. Of course this is a highly difficult issue; there are emotions and views on both sides of this argument. However, using unmanned air systems in Afghanistan provides vital intelligence for us in support of our forces on the ground.
My Lords, in addition to the method of technology described already, we now have the possibility of attacks not only by land, sea, air and space but in cyberspace. This is highly complex and had the Stuxnet attack on Iran taken place in any of the other four media, it would have been regarded as a declaration of war. It is no longer clear what a declaration of war amounts to when it is in cyberspace. Will my noble friend the Minister describe what work the Government are doing legally and diplomatically to clarify declarations of war in this new medium?
The noble Lord will be aware that there is an ongoing legal matter—a judicial review—in relation to some of the questions that he raises. In relation to the specific evidence and discussions that we will be having with the special rapporteur, I will certainly consider that and, if appropriate, report back to the House.
The noble Lord will be aware that there is an ongoing legal matter—a judicial review—in relation to some of the questions that he raises. In relation to the specific evidence and discussions that we will be having with the special rapporteur, I will certainly consider that and, if appropriate, report back to the House.
My Lords, I wholly understand the Minister making the point that we have not used our armed drones in Pakistan or in many other settings. She plainly cannot be pressed for whether we believe it was legal or not because, on that basis, it is legal. Can she tell the House what will be the character of the evidence that we might give to the UN special rapporteur? Will it be made available to the House through the Library, so that we can get a full appreciation of the circumstances in which we use drones and make an assessment for ourselves?
My Lords, the British Government’s position is that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles against targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all concerned to act in accordance with international law, including taking all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
My Lords, the British Government’s position is that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles against targets is a matter for the states involved. We expect all concerned to act in accordance with international law, including taking all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties when conducting military operations.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the legal and diplomatic implications of the use of drones across national boundaries.
In all our discussions when these matters are raised, we expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law and to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties. We understand that the UN special rapporteur for human rights and countering terrorism intends to give consideration to these issues of drone strikes in a future report to the UN General Assembly.
In all our discussions when these matters are raised, we expect all states concerned to act in accordance with international law and to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian casualties. We understand that the UN special rapporteur for human rights and countering terrorism intends to give consideration to these issues of drone strikes in a future report to the UN General Assembly.
I thank my noble friend for that reply. She will be aware that international human rights law permits the intentional use of lethal force only when necessary to protect against a threat to life and where there are no other means, such as capture, available. Targeted killings are not lawful as the action has to be strictly necessary and proportionate. Given that the use of armed drones engages four major UN conventions as well as Article 51 of the UN charter, will she tell the House what measures the UK is taking to abide by international law and to encourage allies, such as the United States, to do the same?
My Lords, I can comment only upon the actions of the United Kingdom and I assure the noble Lord that the Government are mindful of all their obligations under international law when they engage in military activity.
My Lords, I can comment only upon the actions of the United Kingdom and I assure the noble Lord that the Government are mindful of all their obligations under international law when they engage in military activity.
The use of drones may be effective or ineffective, productive or counterproductive, but is there any difference in principle between the use of drones and the use in armed conflict of rockets or artillery across national frontiers?
My noble friend is probably more of an expert on these matters than I am. I cannot answer that question; I am not familiar enough with the practice of how drones would operate over lengthy periods.
My noble friend is probably more of an expert on these matters than I am. I cannot answer that question; I am not familiar enough with the practice of how drones would operate over lengthy periods.
My Lords, does my noble friend accept that if a drone can remain poised for some hours above a target, it is less likely to create collateral damage than almost any other form of shelling, or the missiles to which the noble Lord referred, or any other form of trying to kill people?
The right reverend Prelate raises an important point. I can confirm to the House that the UK has not used armed drones against targets in Pakistan. It is a matter for individual states engaged in those practices to discuss those matters.
The right reverend Prelate raises an important point. I can confirm to the House that the UK has not used armed drones against targets in Pakistan. It is a matter for individual states engaged in those practices to discuss those matters.
My Lords, in the light of the unknown number of civilian casualties as a result of drone attacks in Pakistan, when no armed conflict has been declared and the United States is not at war, does the Minister agree that such attacks are illegal under international humanitarian law and that there is now a need for an enhanced arms limitation treaty?
The noble Lord is right to raise the matter; this is an important issue and an important debate. In fact, it was on the front page of the Times today and has been on the front pages of many of our newspapers over time. He will be aware of parliamentary interest in both this House and the other place. In relation to the UK’s conduct, specifically in Pakistan, I can confirm that we do not use armed drones against targets there. We do use unmanned air systems—drones—in Afghanistan, predominantly for surveillance and recognisance tasks.
The noble Lord is right to raise the matter; this is an important issue and an important debate. In fact, it was on the front page of the Times today and has been on the front pages of many of our newspapers over time. He will be aware of parliamentary interest in both this House and the other place. In relation to the UK’s conduct, specifically in Pakistan, I can confirm that we do not use armed drones against targets there. We do use unmanned air systems—drones—in Afghanistan, predominantly for surveillance and recognisance tasks.
Does the Minister not agree that there is great urgency in this situation? There is a real danger that we could slip into an age of political assassination, targeted killing and the condoning of extra-judicial murder. Is there not also a danger that, if this trend continues without careful international deliberation about its implications, we could slip into an age in which war becomes an easier management option as distinct from a really grave step to take after everything else has been tried?