Although we’ve heard the message from some States that weapons reviews are not sufficient, we think further consideration by this group of weapons reviews, without prejudice to other elements of the groups’ work, would be worthwhile. The United States remains interested in sharing practice on weapons reviews with a view towards more States understanding their usefulness in improving States’ implementation of their existing legal obligations and for States that currently conduct such reviews to have an opportunity to learn about good practices of others. Although the United States views the review of the legality of weapons as a best practice for implementing customary and treaty law relating to all weapons and their use in armed conflict, weapons that use autonomy in target selection and engagement seem unique in the degree to which they would allow consideration of targeting issues during the weapon’s development.
Statement by the United States under agenda item 6(d): possible options for addressing the humanitarian and international security challenges (13 April 2018)
