In a talk for the Oxford Martin Programme on Human Rights for Future Generations, UN investigator Ben Emmerson QC argued countries must respect applicable international law in their use of drones.

Mr Emmerson, UN Special Rapporteur on Counter Terrorism and Human Rights, addressed an audience at the Oxford Law Faculty on the the potential illegal use of armed drones. In his recent report to the UN General Assembly on the use of armed drones in counter-terrorism operations and its civilian impact, the UN expert called upon states to be transparent in their use of drones as weapons, to investigate allegations of violations of the right to life through drone killings, and to respect all applicable international law standards.

The 12 November talk was co-hosted with the Oxford Human Rights Hub.