The Regulation Dilemma : Analyzing CCW Discussions Toward a Justified Future Legal Framework for Regulating Autonomous Weapons Systems

Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) are increasingly common in armed conflict, raising serious legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns in the absence of a binding international legal framework that governs their development and use. This thesis examines these issues within the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) discussions under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), covering the period from 2017 to 2025. Using thematic analysis of documents from the GGE discussions, the research investigates how emerging norms could contribute to grounding the future regulatory framework in a justified legal order. Drawing on Rainer Forst’s theory of the right to justification, the study advocates for a human-centric approach that prioritizes principles of human dignity, moral legitimacy, and accountability. On this basis, it aims to contribute to the development of a legal and ethical foundation for AWS governance through a justification-based approach that is grounded in values of international humanitarian and human rights law. Ultimately, this thesis contributes to the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 5 (gender equality), 10 (reduced inequalities), and 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).