Article 36 of [API] contains the obligation to review whether the development or acquisition of new means and methods of warfare are permitted under international law. The Netherlands would like to underline that:
(1) Efforts to ensure full and universal implementation of Article 36 procedures should be increased.
(2) The concept of meaningful human control should play an important role in the weapons review.
(3) Greater transparency concerning the outcomes of review procedures and more sharing of best practices is required. Areas for information exchange could include: legal challenges during design and testing in a realistic environment, and the incorporation of the concept of meaningful human control in the weapon review process.
Statement by the Netherlands on agenda item 6(d): possible options for addressing the humanitarian and international security challenges (13 April 2018)
