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| U.N. Rights Experts 'Seriously' Concerned about Yemen Drone Strikes |
| 2013-12-27 |
| [An Nahar] U.N. human rights When they're defined by the state or an NGO they don't mean much... experts on Thursday expressed "serious concern" about lethal drone attacks allegedly conducted by U.S. forces in Yemen, that resulted in civilian casualties this month. The U.N. said in a statement that 16 non-combatants were killed and at least 10 injured when two separate wedding processions were targeted by drones in the country on 12 December. The victims had been mistakenly identified as members of al-Qaeda, the U.N. quoted local security officials as saying. "If armed drones are to be used, States must adhere to international humanitarian law, and should disclose the legal basis for their operational responsibility and criteria for targeting," said Christof Heyns, U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. "Yemen cannot consent to violations of the right to life of people in its territory," he added. The U.S. military operates all unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen in support of Sanaa's campaign against al-Qaeda and has killed dozens of Death Eaters in a sharply intensified campaign this year. But Washington faces mounting criticism over the use of drones in its "war on terror". Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez also expressed concern ...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended... about the legitimacy of the December 12 "A deadly attack on illegitimate targets amounts to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment if, as in this case, it results in serious physical or mental pain and suffering for the innocent victims," Mendez said. Heyns stressed the need for accountability when drones were used. He called on the United States and Yemen to disclose whether they were responsible, and if so, what targeting standards were used, how many non-combatants were killed, and whether they plan to provide compensation for the victims' families. |
| Posted by:Fred |