UN to Investigate US, UK Drone Attacks

Critics say drone strikes hit civilians, violate int'l laws
By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 24, 2013 7:53 AM CST
UN to Investigate US, UK Drone Attacks
In this photo taken on July 21, 1995, an unmanned US Predator drone makes a landing after completing a flight over former Yugoslavia at the remote air base of Gjader in north central Albania.   (AP Photo/Armando Babani)

In the face of mounting criticism about US and UK drone strikes, the United Nations is going to investigate the use of drones in targeted killings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia, reports the Guardian. The investigation will look at drone strikes in Mali and those made by Israel into the Palestinian territories. It will focus on 20 to 30 American and British strikes, exploring civilian deaths involved, the identity of militants targeted, and the legality of attacks in countries where the UN has not recognized hostilities. One of the countries pushing for the investigation is Pakistan, where drone strikes between June 2004 and September 2012 have killed as many as 3,325 people, including 881 civilians and 176 children.

Findings are due to the UN general assembly in the autumn. Among the potential findings, some want "double tap" drone strikes—when a second drone attack kills rescuers responding to an initial attack—to be labeled war crimes. "One of the fundamental questions is whether aerial targeting using drones is an appropriate method of conflict … where the individuals are embedded in a local community," says the UN official slated to lead the investigation. (More drone strike stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X