Along with the rapid development and proliferation of autonomous robotic weapons, machines are beginning to replace people on battlefields. The use by the USA of Predators or Reapers and other unmanned aerial vehicles in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other places in the world clearly signals a distancing of soldiers from their targets. In this article I concentrate on fully autonomous weapons. The theses of the article are as follows: the use of autonomous weapons would be contrary to the basic and fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, such as the principles of distinction and proportionality, and thus illegal. As such, their use would threaten the wellbeing, life and health of civilians and civilian populations. Their use would undermine the whole concept of the rules of war. Still, there are scholars who are of the opinion that prohibiting the use of autonomous weapons would make no sense at all and that the development of such weapons is inevitable and will take place gradually. Their use would be an expression of the technological dimension of international security. As this article will attempt to demonstrate, the drawbacks of the use of autonomous weapons are of such magnitude that they exclude the legality of such devices.
Cities have been researched mostly in terms of their economic, technological, and social value and significance. Despite some changes in this respect there is still a need to research cities as a fascinating phenomenon, also in respect of its capabilities to increase human security on a local and global scale. The article examines the role of cities for human security in the selected and representative fields such as sustainable development, human rights and environmental protection which are components of human security. The subject matter is indeed fascinating as fascinating are cities themselves. They are dynamic, energetic, innovative and constantly evolving. The general thesis of the article is that cities may and do greatly contribute to human security.
Abstract.The armed conflict in Ukraine shows how difficult it sometimes is to clearly identify the nature of armed conflict. This is connected primarily with the lack of the full range of information on facts -knowledge of which is essential for determining the degree of control by a third country (Russia) over non-State party to an armed conflict (Ukrainian separatists). It is especially difficult to make such an assessment while armed conflict continues and is undoubtedly easier when the judgment is made after the fact, when there is access to intelligence and testimony of witnesses. This paper presents a factual section which then concentrates on the legal framework for armed conflicts in general and examines the types of armed conflicts and international humanitarian law applicable to them. The legal ramifications are followed by an analysis of the events in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine in order to apply the law to the facts. The author attempts to establish whether the situation in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine is an international or non-international armed conflict and what law is applicable.
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