Take Action to Prevent Unlawful Drone Killings

Thursday, 07 March 2013 

Yesterday(06), the Senate Intelligence Committee endorsed a new director of the CIA -- John Brennan. He is a controversial figure, and as you read this Senator Rand Paul may still be attempting to filibuster the final Senate vote on his nomination.

What's the controversy? John Brennan is one of the chief architects of the administration's drone killing policy, which has reportedly resulted in 4,700 people killed so far, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.

Read that number again. 4,700 human beings killed. Call us crazy, but don't you think the world -- including the thousands of people and families directly affected by drone attacks worldwide – deserves to know on what basis the Obama administration claims the right to kill people?

No more secrets with human lives at stake. Tell the Obama administration to disclose the secret drone killing memos to the public and follow the "rule book" for the use of lethal force that already exists -- international law.

Earlier today, Attorney General Holder again defended the U.S. drone killing program and said President Obama will soon do the same. The Obama administration claims its use of drones to kill is "legal", "ethical", and "wise". But we're not buying it.

International law permits the use of lethal force in very restricted circumstances. But from the little information made available to the public, U.S. drone strike policy appears to allow extrajudicial executions in violation of the right to life, virtually anywhere in the world.

Public outcry over the killer drone program is growing. And with Brennan's nomination and drones back in the headlines, Congress may finally be starting to listen.

The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning asked Attorney General Holder tough questions about drones and lethal force. But so far, survivors of drone strikes and experts in international human rights law have been missing from Washington's drone conversation.

Despite all the talk that new laws, rules or a "kill court" are needed, the fact is that the "rule book" for the use of lethal force with drones already exists -- international human rights law and, in the exceptional circumstances where it applies, international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict) as well.The Obama administration must follow the law. Congress and the courts must hold them to it.

Drones may be here to stay. But now is our best chance to make sure U.S. drone policy follows the rule book that protects all of us.

-Amnesty International - USA - 

British MP disappointed THURSDAY, 07 MARCH 2013 British MP  Simon Danczuk who is in Sri Lanka now to push for the case regarding the murder of a British national in Tangalle in 2011, expressed disappointment over the refusal by ‘senior government ministers ‘ to meet him. The British national was shot dead at a resort in Tangalle on the eve of the 2011 Christmas. Mr. Danczuk has arrived in the country along with the victim’s brother Nasser Shaik. In a brief interview with the Daily Mirror in the parliamentary complex, Mr. Danczuk said he sought meetings with the senior government ministers on this issue, but they refused. “It is disappointing. They should have met with us,” he said.  He said the slain victim was from his constituency in Britain, and therefore, he had a duty and responsibility to get the investigations into this case expedited.   Emphasizing that cases of this nature should be fast tracked, he said the rule of law had not been applied regarding this incident in Sri Lanka. “Both Sri Lanka and Britain follow commonwealth principles. But, the rule of law had not applied in this case. We are concerned.  Fifteen months have lapsed after the incident,” he said.  Howerer, he said he interacted with MPs of Sri Lanka Parliament, who assured him to push for the case. The visiting MP also thanked the Sri Lankan media for keeping this issue alive in the minds of people of the country. “We especially thank the Daily Mirror for the excellent job in pursuing justice,” he said. .Nasser Shaikh , the brother of the victim, told the Daily Mirror that there was no warm welcome for their visit from Sri Lanka.(Kelum Bandara)