Launchers 6.2 AERIAL LAUNCHERS Key Technical Features These weapons consist of a launcher attached to a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, which can disperse chemical irritants over a wide area. Aerial vehicles may not allow for sufficient accuracy in targeting to ensure lawful use. Any aerial vehicle must remain under meaningful human control, and all decisions to launch less lethal projectiles must be carried out by a human operator for accountability purposes, and to ensure compliance with international human rights standards. Human Rights Concerns Use of these weapons can be indiscriminate, if used at a demonstration, bystanders can be affected even if they are not the target. If munitions are dropped over or launched directly at an individual or group, the kinetic energy of any impact of the projectile or munition carries a risk of unnecessary injury amounting to excessive force. This risk is significantly greater when munitions are dropped from a great height or a cartridge is launched from a weapon. Statements and Standards from Human Rights Bodies Examples of Existing Controls UNODC and OHCHR: “Weapons that fire multiple projectiles at the same time, or that otherwise cannot be targeted at a specific individual, should never be used due to the risk of injury to bystanders.” 118 The EU Anti-Torture Regulation controls the export of this type of equipment. The US CCL controls the export of this type of equipment. Manufacture should be controlled. Proposed Control Trade and transfer should be controlled. Use should conform with international human rights standards. 118 UNODC and OHCHR, Resource book on the use of force and firearms in law enforcement, 2017, p. 94. 107