Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons set to enter into force with 50th r...

With the 50th ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) today, nuclear weapons will now be categorically outlawed under this treaty, when it enters into force 90 days from now. This is a key moment of change in the history of nuclear weapons. Ever since their invention, there has been sustained opposition to nuclear weapons because of the horrific and catastrophic impacts for people and our environment they have produced – and... Read more

New resource: regulating autonomy in weapons systems – structuring a treat...

We are working to avoid a dehumanised future, where machines can be tasked to kill and apply force without people understanding or being fully responsible for the consequences. International discussions on ‘autonomy’ in weapons systems are building a common understanding of the prohibitions and other obligations needed to preserve human dignity and ensure meaningful human control. It is now necessary to focus in detail on the specific components of a solution. Using graphics and visuals,... Read more

New paper: Building towards international regulation of autonomous weapons from ...

Following international discussions to understand the subject matter, laying the groundwork for effective international regulation of ‘autonomous’ weapons now requires the elaboration of more detailed positions and proposals from the states and others engaged in this debate. To support discussion, this new short paper sketches out areas where we see useful content developing, based on the outline of an international regulatory structure that we believe could effectively address the problem of increasing ‘autonomy’ in weapons... Read more

Use of heavy explosive weapons in towns and cities in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict ...

The use of heavy explosive weapons, including heavy artillery guns and multiple rocket launchers, in cities, towns and other populated areas in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is killing and injuring civilians, destroying vital infrastructure and homes, and has forced half the population to flee for safety. The International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW), which Article 36 coordinates, has called on parties to the conflict to stop using heavy explosive weapons in towns, cities and other populated... Read more