States and some organisations have expressed their views about the utility, purpose, scope and process of the legal review of weapons in various different contexts. Some of these views have been recorded domestic documents, such as military manuals on the law of armed conflict. Increasingly, however, States and organisations have articulated their positions in a range of international fora, either through written submissions or oral interventions.
This database compiles and organises publicly expressed views in relation to legal reviews, without prejudice to their relative significance or effect (for example, in terms of the development of customary international law). The database aims to comprehensively reflect the views of states but only covers the positions of a small number of selected organisations.
This database currently contains 379 positions and is continuously updated. Any corrections, or suggestions to add material, are welcome.
16 positions Canada (remove filter)
2026
REAIM Pathways to Action
… 7. Building on the Call to Action advanced at the REAIM Summit 2023 in The Hague and the Blueprint for Action advanced at the REAIM Summit 2024 in Seoul, convinced that the time has come to take steps towards operationalization of the principles reflected …
2025
Canada, Military Manual
Section 2. CAF-Issued Weapons and Ammunition 4. Canada is obligated to review new weapons, means and methods of warfare for compliance with LOAC before they are authorized for CAF use. CAF commanders and members can have confidence that CAF-issued weapons and ammunition are lawful for …
2024
Draft articles on autonomous weapon systems
Article 1. Preventing Autonomous Weapon Systems That, By Their Nature, Are Incapable of Use in Accordance With IHL IHL prohibits the use of an autonomous weapon system if it is of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering, if it is inherently indiscriminate, …
Submission by Canada to the Secretary-General
In accordance with Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Canada conducts national legal reviews of new weapons, means or methods of warfare, to ensure IHL compliance. Canada ensures this necessary element first through its national legal reviews of all new weapons, …
Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL in Canada
Determination of whether new weapons and means or methods of warfare may be employed lawfully Canada conducts weapons reviews in accordance with Article 36 of AP I. In the study, development, acquisition or adoption of a new weapon, means or method of warfare, Canada has …
2023
Draft articles on autonomous weapon systems
Article 1. Preventing Autonomous Weapon Systems That, By Their Nature, Are Incapable of Use in Accordance With IHL IHL prohibits the use of an autonomous weapon system if it is of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering, if it is inherently indiscriminate, …
Draft articles on autonomous weapon systems
Article 1: Preventing Autonomous Weapon Systems That, By Their Nature, Are Incapable of Use in Accordance With IHL IHL prohibits the use of an autonomous weapon system if it is of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering, if it is inherently indiscriminate, …
2022
Principles and Good Practices on Emerging Technologies in the Area of LAWS
VIII. Good Practices Related to Human-Machine Interaction […] 26. At various stages of the life-cycle of a weapon, the following good practices related to human-machine interaction can strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law, strengthen accountability, and mitigate risks in the use of weapons systems based …
Canada, International Law Applicable in Cyberspace
50. States that are Parties to Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions are required to review new weapons, means or methods of warfare to ensure compliance with IHL.32 This obligation applies in the context of cyber capabilities and activities, although not all cyber capabilities …
2021
Building on Chile’s proposed four elements of further work
Weapons Reviews Relevant Guiding Principles: In accordance with States’ obligations under international law, in the study, development, acquisition, or adoption of a new weapon, means or method of warfare, determination must be made whether its employment would, in some or all circumstances, be prohibited by …
National Commentary by Canada
Canada implements a permanent national legal review of all of its weapons systems. Canada fully complies with Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which requires states to determine whether new weapons, means or methods of warfare may be employed lawfully under …
Written contribution of Canada on potential consensus recommendations
… We also ensure strict adherence to IHL throughout the lifecycle of the weapon. In accordance with Article 36 of [API], Canada conducts national legal reviews of new weapons, means or methods of warfare, to ensure IHL compliance. Canada also strictly adheres to IHL in …
2019
Statement by Canada
DND/CAF’s Legal Weapons Review Process Canada conducts legal reviews of new weapons, means, and methods of warfare that are being contemplated for study, development, acquisition, or adoption by the Department of Defenceand the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure their compliance with international law. As part …
2016
Statement by Canada
… increased transparency and information-sharing around guidelines and best practices for weapons reviews could play an important role in assisting States fulfill their Article 36 obligations with regards to LAWS.
2005
IHL and ERW: Response from Canada
30. Canada views the review process of weapons systems for IHL compliance to be an important topic in any discussion of the wider or more specific aspects of IHL implementation. In accordance with Article 36 of Additional Protocol I, Canada conducts legal reviews during the …
2001
Canada, Military Manual
530. Development of Acquisition of New Weapons 1. In the study, development, acquisition or adoption of a new weapon, means or method of warfare, there is an obligation to determine whether its employment would, in some or all circumstances, be prohibited by the LOAC. AP …