This symbol is part of HF SIGNAL 01, a candidate machine-readable surrender signal —
an open research proposal intended to support the recognition of surrender and
hors de combat indicators by autonomous or semi-autonomous systems.
⚠️ Experimental research proposal. HF SIGNAL 01 is not operationally
validated, not internationally adopted, and is not guaranteed to provide protection.
It is published as a documented candidate standard, open to independent testing,
regulatory review, and examination within IHL and autonomous-weapons governance fora.
International Humanitarian Law already protects persons who surrender or are otherwise
hors de combat, and it already protects civilians from attack. These obligations are not
in question. What modern warfare puts in question is their practical effectiveness:
drones, AI-assisted targeting and machine-speed decision systems compress the time in
which recognition must occur.
Protection begins with recognition.
If the indicators of surrender cannot be recognized within the decision window of the
systems involved, the protection the law promises cannot be exercised.
Human Flag exists to ask this question — and to place it on the record.
What we do
We study surrender recognition as a compliance-relevant capability under existing International Humanitarian Law. We publish peer-reviewable working papers and technical notes, propose candidate recognition protocols for independent testing, and engage institutions through documented, verifiable questions. We do not propose new law; we ask whether existing law remains technically applicable — and we document the answer.
How we act
We created an official association under Swiss law, wrote a statute, and published our research corpus with permanent identifiers. We address institutions through formal notifications anchored to obligations they have already adopted, and we invite scholars, engineers and policymakers to test, critique and develop our proposals. The first step is to ask the question in a form that can be answered.
Donations
Help us keep the flag alive. Every donation supports a project that protects life and dignity.
