… Lessons learned from the legal review of autonomy in the critical functions of existing and emerging weapon systems could help to provide a guiding framework for future discussions.
In this respect, the ICRC welcomes the wide recognition of the obligation for States to carry out legal reviews of any new technologies of warfare they are developing or acquiring, including weapons with autonomy in some or all of their critical functions. CCW Meetings of States Parties and Review Conferences have in the past recalled the importance of legal reviews of new weapons, which are a legal requirement for States party to Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. The ICRC encourages States that have not yet done so to establish weapons review mechanisms and stands ready to advise States in this regard. In this respect, States may wish to refer to the ICRC’s Guide to the Legal Review of New Weapons, Means and Methods of Warfare.
Statement of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) (13 April 2015) 3–4
