Targeted Killing at a Distance: Robotics and Self-Defense

Moderator:John Sims, Professor of Law, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law This panel will focus on the bearing of human rights norms on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in armed conflict situations. The ongoing and rapidly increasing development and deployment of UAVs in situations of armed conflict have arguably outpaced the law in that they are not adequately supported by a dedicated and enforceable regime of international and (trans)national rules, regulations, and standards, including relevant human rights norms. In addressing this issue, the panel will explore the role human rights norms play or should play in guiding and regulating the use of UAVs for military purposes, both with respect to surveillance operations and attacks. More specifically, the panel will consider the issue in relation to (1) the law of armed conflict; (2) other bodies of international law, including that under the U.N. Charter; and (3) U.S. constitutional law, especially with respect to separation of powers and due process