‘US drone strikes violate international law’

[Panaconda]

‘US drone strikes violate international law’

October 21, 2010

LONDON: The US programme of drone strikes targeting militants in Pakistan, Yemen and other countries violates international law and should be halted, a legal expert warned on Thursday. Mary Ellen O’Connell, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, told a debate at a leading London think tank that the pursuit of al Qaeda and Taliban extremists should be a law enforcement issue, not a military one.

"The strongest conclusion is that there is no legal right to resort to drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere where the US is not involved in armed conflict," she told the respected Chatham House centre. She was particularly critical of strikes by the US Central Intelligence Agency in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan which border Afghanistan and are a haven for militants who use it as a base to attack NATO and Pakistani forces.

"The use of drones is causing really serious anger in Pakistan, I really seriously question the necessity for what we are doing," she said.

O’Connell said they could not be justified because there was no open consent from Pakistan and the strikes could not be taken as an act of war because they did not happen on Afghan soil, where US troops operate.

...

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C10%5C22%5Cstory_22-10-2010_pg7_7

[ixion]

1. Of course it is. Much of the so-called 'war' on terror has been one massive, rolling violation

but that hasn't slowed us down a bit.

"If it's illegal we do it immediately. If it's unconstitutional, it take awhile longer"
- Henry Kissinger

[malaise]

2. Duh???

Of course

[The Straight Story]

3. And bush will get away with it and never get prosecuted...oh wait

:rofl:

[Canuckistanian]

4. Well, then. Time to start the sanctions.

Right.

Everyone already knows it's illegal. But no major world leader would dare to say it out loud.

[blindpig]

5. This is practice n/t

[flyarm]

6. ahhh shucks..we don't care about laws anymore..get with the program...

we just cover up broken laws..

We use our Constitution and international laws for toilet paper..didn't you get the memo???????

There is an incredible chess game going on in the white house..come on..get with it..they even hand out fairy dust..and make our laws disappear..if you are a good little soldier and you spew enough bullshit to cover up the crimes..you might even get invited to go to the WH and play some of that incredible chess!

[Toots]

7. Does anyone think Obama gives a rat's ass?

Laws are for the little people, certainly not the most powerful man on earth...

[ixion]

8. Obama, and our government by-and-large

those with any power, at least.