Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have
released reports that chronicle U.S. drone strikes killing civilians in both
Yemen and Pakistan. Together the reports maintain that in multiple strikes in
each nation, innocent civilians were killed. Both groups claim that the uses of
these drone strikes violate international war crimes law. The Pakistani foreign
ministry is in agreement and has released an announcement stating "The
government of Pakistan believes drone strikes are against international law and
the sovereignty of Pakistan". The United States, however says that they
are clear of any wrong doing and that drone strikes are necessary to counter terrorism
efforts. Both Amnesty International and
Human Rights Watch counter this claim saying that these attacks that have
killed civilians have created a culture of fear rivaling that of the fear of
terrorists.
Ultimately, if the use of drones has killed many civilians
in multiple incidents, it would seem that the US is violating international
law. This is because the Geneva conventions state that civilians are under
protection from attack and inhumane treatment. It is inhumane for a group of
people going about their day to day lives being attacked and killed or maimed
by a missile overhead. The United States is a signer of the Geneva Conventions
and as such should uphold its values. More importantly, by killing innocent people
these attacks have created violations of the basic human right to life. The use
of drones also exemplifies the change in means of war. This is an example of
the more recent development of total warfare as the strikes are a surprise
strike which is vastly different than the limited warfare of the past.
Nonetheless, the culture of fear that the strikes create are counterproductive.
The point of the war against terror is supposed to free the world from needless
violence and fear, not create it. Plus if a major power like the United States
gives the ok to use drones that is to say that any other country isn’t justified
in using them for their own purposes?
Nicole Egna
9:30 am
10/25/13
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