The CAVV was asked to advise on the lawfulness of using drones and on conditions for their use, both in and outside the context of armed conflict.

Content

This advisory report examines the international legal aspects of armed drone attacks. The report also examines the geographical and temporal limits to the applicability of the right to use force (jus ad bellum) and international humanitarian law (jus in bello) in this connection.

The CAVV also considers what conditions can be laid down for the use of armed drones on the basis of international law. It further discusses whether current international law is adequate to regulate the use of armed drones, or whether new law is required.

The CAVV notes that, besides the legal criteria, the deployment of armed drones involves considerations of a military / operational, policy-related and ethical nature.

Government response

The Government response download is a translation of the official government response in Dutch (PDF: Kabinetsreactie op CAVV advies nr. 23 Bewapende drones).