Award to best LLM thesis in Public International Law 2024
With the thesis “Removing the Human Decision-Making from International Law: An Examination of the Legal Implications of Autonomous Weapon Systems and Their Compliance with International Humanitarian Law”, Aida Amanuel recently received the Student Thesis Prize of 2024 in SIFIR’s (Swedish Institute of International Law) yearly student thesis competition in Public International Law.
Motivation:
In her thesis, Aida Amanuel discusses the complex and current issue of autonomous weapon systems and to what extent these weapons can be used in accordance with international humanitarian law. Aida Amanuel’s investigation is thorough, well substantiated and critical. The question of the legality of autonomous weapon systems is analyzed in the light of the central principles of international humanitarian law, the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Aida Amanuel’s conclusion is that fully autonomous weapons for the time being lack the capacity to follow these principles. This does not prevent that technology develops in the future so that autonomous weapons will in fact be able to follow international humanitarian law. An international legally binding instrument that helps to uphold the delicate balance between military necessity and humanity in the increasing use of autonomous weapon systems would be desirable, Aida Amanuel argues.
Supervisor: Inger Österdahl, Professor in Public International Law