Brussels – A bill proposed by the Flemish Greens (Groen) to prohibit fully autonomous lethal weapon systems, commonly referred to as ‘killer robots,’ was rejected by Belgium’s Chamber Defence Commission on Wednesday.
The bill, authored by Groen MP Staf Aerts, aimed to impose a legal ban on autonomous weaponry, following concerns about the growing development of these systems within the defence industry.
However, opposition from key parties, including Open Vld and Vlaams Belang, led to its article-by-article rejection, preventing a final vote.
Background of the Debate
The discussion on banning ‘killer robots’ in Belgium dates back to 2018 when a parliamentary majority, including N-VA, CD&V, MR, and Open Vld, approved a resolution urging the government to take preventive measures against the deployment of such systems.
At the time, there was broad consensus on the need to prevent autonomous weapons from operating without human control.
However, technological advancements in the defence sector have since changed the landscape. The development of autonomous weaponry has continued, leading to renewed concerns among lawmakers and human rights groups.
In 2023, during the previous legislature, the socialist Vooruit party proposed a similar bill, which gained widespread support in the Chamber.
Yet, due to procedural delays and N-VA’s request for a second reading, the bill was not voted on before the Chamber’s dissolution ahead of elections.
New Attempt Blocked
Now in opposition, Groen decided to reintroduce the proposal. MP Staf Aerts emphasized his willingness to consider amendments from the ruling coalition to facilitate consensus.
However, during the Defence Commission meeting, representatives from the ruling Arizona coalition remained silent, raising concerns about the lack of debate on the issue.
Opposition parties Open Vld and Vlaams Belang openly declared their intention to vote against the proposal.
Open Vld MP Kjell Vander Elst argued that banning autonomous lethal weapons would hinder Belgium’s research and development efforts in the defence sector, making it unfeasible.
On the other hand, Parti Socialiste, represented by Christophe Lacroix, expressed its full support for the proposal, citing ethical concerns over fully autonomous military systems.
Procedural Rejection and Political Reactions
The bill was rejected article by article, meaning that no section of the proposal achieved a majority vote.
Without approval of any individual provisions, a final vote on the entire bill was rendered impossible. This procedural outcome effectively blocked the measure from moving forward.
Following the decision, Aerts strongly criticised what he described as a ‘next-level silence agreement,’ referring to a common practice in Flemish politics where proposals are informally discussed among coalition partners before being formally submitted.
“The debate hasn’t even started in the Chamber,” he said, condemning what he perceived as an undemocratic approach. “It shows incredible contempt for Parliament.”
Despite opposing the bill, Open Vld’s Vander Elst acknowledged Aerts’ frustration, expressing hope for more constructive dialogue between the majority and opposition in the future.
As Belgium continues to navigate ethical and strategic concerns surrounding autonomous weaponry, the rejection of the Groen bill signals that the debate on ‘killer robots’ is far from over.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
