Publicação
Reviving the Martens clause : the complexity of autonomous weapons systems in international law
| Resumo: | The growing integration of autonomous technologies into modern warfare raises complex legal uncertainties under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly in the absence of explicit treaty provisions governing Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS). This dissertation explores the Martens Clause as a central interpretative and normative tool, assessing its potential to guide the legal evaluation and regulation of these weapons through the principles of humanity and the dictates of public conscience. Structured around a conceptual clarification of AWS and the Martens Clause, the study proceeds to assess their interaction within IHL, paying particular attention to the Clause’s application in weapon reviews and its relevance in evaluating compliance with foundational humanitarian principles. By engaging with international legal instruments, relevant jurisprudence, reports, precedents, and selected case studies, the research examines the extent to which the Clause can fill regulatory gaps and offer a substantive legal basis for limiting or guiding the use of autonomous technologies in warfare. While the Clause may not constitute a standalone prohibition mechanism, it nonetheless provides a significative normative grounding, especially where new technologies challenge the boundaries of existing law. Ultimately, the research argues that the Martens Clause is not a historical relic, but a living legal principle capable of responding to technological advances in warfare and preserving the humanitarian foundations of international law where codified rules fall short. |
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| Autores principais: | Cachide, Marta Pereira |
| Assunto: | Martens clause Autonomous weapon systems International humanitarian law International humanitarian principles Law of humanity Dictates of public conscience Precedents Contemporary conflicts International regulatory debate Cláusula de Martens Sistemas de armas autónomas Direito internacional humanitário Princípios humanitários Leis da humanidade Ditames da consciência pública Precedentes Conflitos temporâneos Debate regulatório internacional |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Católica Portuguesa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Veritati - Repositório Institucional da Universidade Católica Portuguesa |
| Resumo: | The growing integration of autonomous technologies into modern warfare raises complex legal uncertainties under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly in the absence of explicit treaty provisions governing Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS). This dissertation explores the Martens Clause as a central interpretative and normative tool, assessing its potential to guide the legal evaluation and regulation of these weapons through the principles of humanity and the dictates of public conscience. Structured around a conceptual clarification of AWS and the Martens Clause, the study proceeds to assess their interaction within IHL, paying particular attention to the Clause’s application in weapon reviews and its relevance in evaluating compliance with foundational humanitarian principles. By engaging with international legal instruments, relevant jurisprudence, reports, precedents, and selected case studies, the research examines the extent to which the Clause can fill regulatory gaps and offer a substantive legal basis for limiting or guiding the use of autonomous technologies in warfare. While the Clause may not constitute a standalone prohibition mechanism, it nonetheless provides a significative normative grounding, especially where new technologies challenge the boundaries of existing law. Ultimately, the research argues that the Martens Clause is not a historical relic, but a living legal principle capable of responding to technological advances in warfare and preserving the humanitarian foundations of international law where codified rules fall short. |
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