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.
2015
Statement by Switzerland
As with any other weapon system, States must ensure that the development and use of LAWS are in compliance with existing international law. In this regard my delegation considers the duty to conduct legal reviews in the study, development, acquisition or adoption of a new …
Statement by Switzerland
Le domaine de la transparence pourrait constituer un domaine idéal pour le développement de premières mesures concrètes, et auraient en sus l'avantage de contribuer à éclairer les discussions futures sur la thématique. La question de l'examen au niveau national de la licéité de nouvelles armes, …