There are obvious risks associated with introduction of weapons with autonomous capabilities, but as with any other weapon there are undoubtedly certain benefits as well. The risks would be mitigated by the obligation of states to review these new weapons against the requirements of international humanitarian law or any rule of international law applicable to the reviewing party to acceptable level. The Czech Republic remains convinced that there is already an obligation of High Contracting Parties of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions to review whether new weapon, means or method of warfare would comply with international humanitarian law or not. The benefits of these weapons could be increased by developing autonomous capabilities that can lead to better protection of non-combatants lives. We should be mindful of all the pros and cons and should not jump to premature conclusions such as that the development, production and use of these weapons should be absolutely and pre-emptively prohibited.
Statement by the Czech Republic: General Debate (13 April 2015)
