The statement of the 2010 Expert Workshop on Limiting Armed Tele-Operated and Autonomous Systems, Berlin, 22nd September

(The following document was endorsed by a majority vote at the “Limiting Armed Tele-operated and Autonomous Systems” Workshop in Berlin, 22.09.10. It was not endorsed by all participants and should not be taken to deny the existence of disagreements amongst the participants about both the detail of the text and the underlying questions of ethics, policy, and political strategy. Individual endorsements of the text will be listed at the end of this document soon. Some participants were unable to vote on or endorse the document as a result of their institutional affiliations.)

Given the rapid pace of development of armed tele-operated and autonomous robotic systems, we call upon the international community to commence a discussion about the pressing dangers that these systems pose to peace and international security and to civilians, who continue to suffer most in armed conflict. (pdf at icrac.co.cc)