Animals as War Weapons

doi:10.1017/9781009057301.010

9 - Animals as War Weapons

from Part II - The Protection of Animals in International and Non-international Armed Conflicts

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 October 2022

Chris Jenks

Edited by

Anne Peters ,

Jérôme de Hemptinne and

Robert Kolb

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Anne Peters: Affiliation:
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg
Jérôme de Hemptinne: Affiliation:
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Robert Kolb: Affiliation:
Université de Genève

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Summary

This chapter suggests three legal strategies to leverage international humanitarian law for the protection of weaponised animals in armed conflict in the absence of a direct prohibition of animal weapons. Firstly, one could rely on international, regional organisation and domestic law during non-international armed conflict. Secondly, states can be confronted with their obligation to conduct weapons reviews (relating to international armed conflict). Thirdly, states proposing a ban or regulation on lethal autonomous weapons could be encouraged to promote or support comparable action towards weaponised animals. Even all three strategies in combination would not result in a universal prohibition against weaponising animals. The admittedly patchwork outcome(s) would only offer some measure of protection of animals where little currently exists. Additionally, each line of argument has the potential of gaining additional traction, whether as a matter of law, custom or policy, thus increasing the protection of animals.

Keywords

weaponised animals lethal autonomous weapon Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons means and methods of warfare superfluous injury unnecessary suffering weapons review

Type: Chapter
Information: Animals in the International Law of Armed Conflict , pp. 150 - 170

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009057301.010 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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References

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