AUTONOMOUS WEAPON SYSTEMS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY DILEMMAS

The rapid development of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) presents unprecedented challenges to international law, particularly in the domains of human rights and accountability. This study examines the legal ambiguities surrounding AWS, focusing on their compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights norms. Despite technological advancements, the absence of a universally accepted definition for AWS creates significant regulatory gaps, complicating efforts to ensure accountability for potential violations. The research identifies three critical dilemmas: First, AWS challenge fundamental IHL principles, including distinction and proportionality, as their machine-learning algorithms may lack the contextual understanding required for lawful targeting decisions. Second, the "accountability gap" emerges when autonomous systems cause harm, making it difficult to attribute responsibility under existing legal frameworks. Third, algorithmic bias in AWS raises serious human rights concerns, particularly regarding the right to life and non-discrimination. Through comparative legal analysis, this study evaluates current international mechanisms, including the Geneva Conventions and Rome Statute, revealing their inadequacy in addressing AWS-related violations. The research proposes a tripartite regulatory approach: (1) a new international treaty explicitly prohibiting fully autonomous weapons, (2) mandatory human oversight requirements for semi-autonomous systems, and (3) the establishment of an independent global oversight body to monitor compliance. Key findings suggest that while AWS offer military advantages, their use without robust legal safeguards risks eroding fundamental humanitarian protections. The study concludes that immediate multilateral action is needed to prevent the normalization of algorithmic warfare and preserve the integrity of international law in the digital age.