Militarily powerful western nations are increasingly using drones to carry out attacks on their enemies. I propose that drones be banned. Ideally, this should ultimately be a worldwide ban with the consequence that any country or organisation using them would be contravening international law. This is unlikely to happen soon, since the USA has invested so much in drone technology and sees drones as an invaluable part of their weaponry. However, I see no reason why the UK should not lead the way with a unilateral declaration that it will not use this dangerous technology.
Clearly, drones are an attractive solution for the countries that currently use them. They can attack enemies far from anywhere with no risk to their own military personnel. This is important in a society where military casualties are increasingly seen as unacceptable (and expensive, as bereaved families expect compensation and wounded soldiers require long term after care).
On the other hand, any benefits are likely to be short lived. There have been numerous accounts of innocent people being killed by drones. Some of these accounts may be untrue but, whether true or not, they provide invaluable propaganda for the groups under attack.
It is only a matter of time before terrorist groups start using their own drones. These do not need to be as sophisticated as those currently in use by the UK and USA. A small drone can be easily bought for a few hundred dollars. It would not be hard to strap explosives to it and land it in a large crowd or on a politically significant building. When this happens, many will perceive it as morally equivalent to the West's use of drones in places such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It may be seen as unlikely that drones be banned but that was once the case with landmines. I believe that a sufficiently high visibility campaign by a well known and respected person could yield results. The late Princess Diana helped ban landmines. Who can do the same for drones?
Clearly, drones are an attractive solution for the countries that currently use them. They can attack enemies far from anywhere with no risk to their own military personnel. This is important in a society where military casualties are increasingly seen as unacceptable (and expensive, as bereaved families expect compensation and wounded soldiers require long term after care).
On the other hand, any benefits are likely to be short lived. There have been numerous accounts of innocent people being killed by drones. Some of these accounts may be untrue but, whether true or not, they provide invaluable propaganda for the groups under attack.
It is only a matter of time before terrorist groups start using their own drones. These do not need to be as sophisticated as those currently in use by the UK and USA. A small drone can be easily bought for a few hundred dollars. It would not be hard to strap explosives to it and land it in a large crowd or on a politically significant building. When this happens, many will perceive it as morally equivalent to the West's use of drones in places such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It may be seen as unlikely that drones be banned but that was once the case with landmines. I believe that a sufficiently high visibility campaign by a well known and respected person could yield results. The late Princess Diana helped ban landmines. Who can do the same for drones?
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