1   Articulate Clear Policies

All states must recognise the grave challenges presented by
armed drones, and publicly articulate clear policy and legal
positions on this issue. This includes possible collaboration
in drone operations by other parties.

States that use armed drones must publish their rules and
procedures to show full compliance with international law,
including preventing, mitigating and investigating all unlawful
deaths, and more broadly all civilian harm.

2   Prevent Complicity

States must not be complicit in unlawful drone strikes,
for example, by providing logistical support or data used
to track down targets. European states must accept their
‘third-party responsibility’.

3   Ensure Transparency

All states should work on transparency through the sharing
and publication of information that can contribute to the
development of restrictive norms of behaviour, the prevention
of harm and the strengthening of international law.

Additionally, states that use armed drones in counterterrorism
operations must provide timely public information, on a
case-by-case basis, on the legal and factual grounds on which
specific individuals or groups are targeted, and provide
information on the number of casualties and their identities.

4   Establish Accountability

States involved in drone strikes must conduct prompt,
thorough, independent and impartial investigations into
all allegations of unlawful death or civilian harm and
publish the results of each investigation in a timely manner.

All states must ensure that the rights of victims of drone
strikes are upheld, including by ensuring effective access
to judicial remedies and reparation.

5   Control Proliferation

All states must enact stricter controls on the transfer of
military and dual-use drone technology. This includes
standardising categories of drones and related technology
in export control regimes and treaties on national, regional
and international levels, and applying clear criteria to
prevent irresponsible transfers.

All states should participate in a global debate in relevant
international forums, so as to work towards broader
understanding of, and support by states for, stricter control
of transfers of drones and drone-related technology.