470 Revista del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos Núm. 2 / 2013 5. CONCLUSIONS. Autonomous robots 1. The autonomous robots that exist at present do not yet provide any certainty, given the state of the art for information technology and robotics, as regards their capacity to comply with basic IHL and IHRL principles, in particular the principles of distinction or discrimination and of proportionality. 2. Nevertheless, at the current stage of their scientific and technological development, the possibility cannot be a priori be excluded that in the future their IT programs might include an “ethical governor” that would eliminate or significantly minimise the likelihood of conduct infringing the aforementioned principles. 3. In this regard, the difference of opinion on the matter between robotics and information technology experts suggests that, given the diverse range of potential views, it would be advisable to establish a moratorium on the research and development of these new autonomous weapons systems, which would give time firstly for an international legal framework to be concluded to apply to these devices and, if possible, the requisite mechanisms to be established to allow this to be adjusted to information technology and robotics advances. 4. It will not be easy to put this conclusion into practice immediately. Drones. 5. Drones are a reality. The use made of these systems, in both armed conflict situations and other situations, has been seen to violate IHL and IHRL in various situations. 6. In this light, it is necessary for the international community to employ all the means at its disposal to reach an agreement that provides a legal framework for their use. 7. It does not seem at all likely that this conclusion that certainly ought to be heeded will be put into practice in the foreseeable future. 8. The proposed fine-tuning of its counter-terrorism policy undertaken by the Obama administration following the speech given by the President on 23 May 2013 confirms, in our opinion, the pessimism prompted by the preceding conclusion. and Human Rights concerning the launch of an inquiry into the civilian impact, and human rights implications of the use drones and other forms of targeted killing for the purpose of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency, New Release, United Nations Human Rights (Office of the High Commissioner), pp. 1-9, p. 2 (the Special Rapporteur made these statements at a press conference in London).
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