77thth ESPI Autumn Conference ESPI Autumn Conference‘Space in a Changing World’‘Space in a Changing World’

Vienna 11-12 September 2013Vienna 11-12 September 2013

Space, Technology and Warfare: Applying the Laws of Armed Conflict to a Changing World

Steven FreelandSteven FreelandProfessor of International Law, University of Western SydneyProfessor of International Law, University of Western Sydney

Marie Curie Visiting Professor, iCourts Centre of Excellence for Marie Curie Visiting Professor, iCourts Centre of Excellence for International Courts, DenmarkInternational Courts, Denmark

Visiting Professor, University of Vienna Visiting Professor, University of Vienna

Technological Challenges for the Humanitarian Legal Framework

• International Law and technology

• IHL – embedded into International Law – means and methods of warfare

• IHL – applies to novel types of weaponry and new technological developments

but……

• is (usually) ‘one war late’

• How to react in law to technological challenges on the battlefield?

• What constitutes ‘the battlefield’?

• Are we (should we be) applying 20th Century laws to 21st Century technology?

• Are the IHL laws applicable? relevant? appropriate? sufficient? clear?

• What ‘shapes’ what?

Technological ‘Challenges’ to IHL include….

•cyber technology

• remote-controlled weapons systems technology

• robotics technology

•space technology

•others?

Opportunities and RisksOpportunities and Risks

• Potential to minimize casualties

• Greater selectivity => an obligation to use?

• non-lethal / less-lethal means of warfare

but……

• Increasing trend to ‘long distance warfare’ => a disconnect

• It’s ‘too easy’

• More attacks?

• A lower threshold?

• Increased destructive capabilities

• More likely to ‘render death inevitable’

• Moral and ethical challenges – moral disengagement

• Legal uncertainties

Outer Space Treaty – Principles Outer Space Treaty – Principles Relevant to Military UsesRelevant to Military Uses

• Freedom to explore and use / free access for all Freedom to explore and use / free access for all

• ‘‘province of mankind’ / ‘common heritage of province of mankind’ / ‘common heritage of mankind’mankind’

• No appropriation / claims of sovereigntyNo appropriation / claims of sovereignty

• International law applies (including UN Charter)International law applies (including UN Charter)

• Interests of maintaining international peace and Interests of maintaining international peace and securitysecurity

• No nuclear weapons / weapons of mass No nuclear weapons / weapons of mass destructiondestruction

• ‘‘Peaceful Purposes’Peaceful Purposes’

• State responsibility / liability for ‘national State responsibility / liability for ‘national activities in outer space’ activities in outer space’

• International cooperation / keeping UN informedInternational cooperation / keeping UN informed

Military Uses of Outer Space – a Military Uses of Outer Space – a realityreality

• Peaceful Purposes Peaceful Purposes – ‘‘Non-military’ v ‘non-aggressive’ Non-military’ v ‘non-aggressive’

• a redundant argument?a redundant argument?

• Operation Desert Storm – the first Operation Desert Storm – the first ‘Space War’‘Space War’

• Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya etcKosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya etc

• Military satellites / space assets – an Military satellites / space assets – an ‘integrated battle platform’‘integrated battle platform’

• Commercial satellitesCommercial satellites– ‘‘dual use’ satellitesdual use’ satellites

• CommunicationsCommunications• GPS technologyGPS technology• Remote sensingRemote sensing

• Weapons systemsWeapons systems• Earth => Space - missile defence shield / Earth => Space - missile defence shield /

ballistic missiles / ASATS ballistic missiles / ASATS • Space => SpaceSpace => Space• Space => EarthSpace => Earth

• ‘‘Fourth Territory’?Fourth Territory’?

Space Security – International / Space Security – International / National PolicyNational Policy

•Activities of the Major Space Faring StatesActivities of the Major Space Faring States– A ‘Space Pearl Harbour’A ‘Space Pearl Harbour’

•A Space Arms Race? – UNGA ResolutionsA Space Arms Race? – UNGA Resolutions– the weaponisation of space?the weaponisation of space?

•Draft 2008 Treaty to Prevent WeaponsDraft 2008 Treaty to Prevent Weapons

•TCBMs – Draft International Code of ConductTCBMs – Draft International Code of Conduct

A Hypothetical? – An A Hypothetical? – An Application of IHL PrinciplesApplication of IHL Principles

• International law applies in outer spaceInternational law applies in outer space

• No ‘territorial’ limitation to No ‘territorial’ limitation to jus in bellojus in bello– IHL Principles applyIHL Principles apply

• in combat zonein combat zone

•where acts cause (direct) effects?where acts cause (direct) effects?

• Outer Space used forOuter Space used for– ‘‘passive’ military activitiespassive’ military activities– as an ‘active’ theatre of warfare?as an ‘active’ theatre of warfare?

Application of IHL PrinciplesApplication of IHL Principles• Principles of Principles of

– DistinctionDistinction– Military ObjectiveMilitary Objective– ProportionalityProportionality

• appropriate for actions in outer space?appropriate for actions in outer space?

• Can a satellite be a legitimate target of war?Can a satellite be a legitimate target of war?– military satellitesmilitary satellites– ‘‘dual-use’ satellitesdual-use’ satellites

• Effects? Effects? – communities / States / regions etc reliant on satellite communities / States / regions etc reliant on satellite

technology technology

Concluding CommentsConcluding Comments

• Space technology already used to conduct armed conflictSpace technology already used to conduct armed conflict

• Increasing likelihood that space may become a ‘theatre of Increasing likelihood that space may become a ‘theatre of

war’war’

• Legal ‘status’ of satellites – legitimate military target?Legal ‘status’ of satellites – legitimate military target?

• How to apply / adapt the How to apply / adapt the jus in bello?jus in bello?

• Need for specific standardsNeed for specific standards

– Definitions – ‘space’ / ‘peaceful purposes’ / ‘military uses’Definitions – ‘space’ / ‘peaceful purposes’ / ‘military uses’

• Need to adhere to the collective ‘humanity’ principles of Need to adhere to the collective ‘humanity’ principles of

space law and IHLspace law and IHL