Geneva - In regions affected by armed conflicts, companies face an increased risk of becoming complicit in serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Consequently, businesses operating in such environments must exercise enhanced due diligence to mitigate these heightened risks effectively.
More specifically, when a product is misused in ways that contradict the company's international obligations and non-violent values, particularly for military purposes leading to the commission of international crimes and grave human rights violations, the company must act decisively. It should take immediate steps to cease or prevent its contribution and use leverage to mitigate the remaining impact to the greatest extent possible.
The Israeli army has converted some types of drones into air weapons for intelligence gathering and repurposed them for the deliberate and direct execution of unlawful civilian targets
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor emphasises that companies, including Autel Robotics—a Chinese electronics and drone manufacturer—must comply with international law. They should take immediate action if they know or reasonably should know that their products are being used for serious violations. Euro-Med specifically urges addressing the growing use of Autel Robotics drones by Israel in its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.
This issue is particularly critical in light of Autel Robotics' previous challenges, given the widespread deployment of affordable and readily available Chinese-made drones in recent armed conflicts.
As in December 2022, a report from the Washington Post cited Autel's EVO II model drone as particularly popular among volunteer efforts to source drones for the Ukrainian war effort. Similarly, in March 2023, a New York Times report found that nearly 70 Chinese exporters sold 26 distinct brands of Chinese drones to Russia since the invasion, with Autel being the second-largest
In November 2023, several U.S. House lawmakers raised concerns over Autel's alleged connections to the Chinese government and its potential support of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In response, the company issued a public statement for the first time, explaining that it strongly opposes the use of its drone products for military purposes or any other activities that infringe upon human rights.
Since the very beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, Autel Robotics has published statements deploring the use of any drone product to harm people or property. Despite this, Autel's drones have been extensively employed for military purposes.
From the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Autel's drones have proven to be popular on both sides. These drones have also been extensively utilised by the IDF in the Gaza Strip since the start of the attack on 7th October 2023. Initially used for surveillance and intelligence gathering, including indoor operations, they were later used to fire directly at Palestinian civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.
In addition to aerial and artillery bombardment and ground incursions, the Israeli army has escalated its deliberate killings and extrajudicial executions of unarmed Palestinian civilians in various parts of the Strip. This includes direct targeting with snipers, electronic-controlled quadcopters, and small drones in shelter centers, hospitals, streets, and populated residential areas.
In recent months, Israel has begun using quadcopter drones in a systematic and widespread manner to carry out extrajudicial executions and deliberate killings of Palestinian civilians, particularly those who attempt to return and assess their homes after the Israeli military withdraws from areas it has attacked by land or air.
The Israeli army has already converted other types of drones, for instance, those originally designed for photography, into air weapons for intelligence gathering, and then has subsequently repurposed them for the deliberate and direct execution of unlawful civilian targets.
Recently, the IDF Army Headquarters Procurement Directorate has placed orders for thousands of multi-copters from two Chinese manufacturers, including Autel Robotics.
In addition to the direct killings, these drones frequently patrol the airspace over the Strip to terrorise, intimidate, and harm the psychological well-being of the Palestinians, conveying a sense of control and never-ending death threat.
While drones are not illegal weapons per se, their use must adhere to international humanitarian law regulations that apply to armed conflicts. As they are easy to operate electronically remotely, have very precise eavesdropping instruments and high-quality cameras, and can carry out military purposes like shooting and carrying bombs, they can become real and dangerous weapons, as vividly demonstrated in the Gaza Strip.
Given Autel Robotics' stated commitment to ethical compliance and the non-military use of its products, as articulated in its public statement that it will "firmly refuse cooperation with partners in violation of compliance or bearing such risk," and that it strictly prohibits the military use of its products, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor urges the company to steadfastly uphold these principles. It calls on Autel Robotics and all concerned companies to halt all direct and indirect exports to Israel, ensuring they do not become complicit in Israeli actions that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide in the Gaza Strip since 7th October, 2023.
