More than 60 people have been killed in the series of attacks which have continued since the beginning of September “in circumstances which find no justification in international law“, Volker Türk said in a statement.
He urged the United States to stop its “unacceptable” operations and take steps to prevent “extrajudicial execution of people on board these boats, regardless of the criminal behavior with which they are accused.”
Beyond the law
The United States defended the operations as part of its ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and terrorism, saying they were within the framework of international humanitarian law.
Mr Türk rejected this argument, emphasizing that combating illicit drug trafficking is a matter of law enforcement, governed by prudent limits on lethal force set out in international human rights law.
He stressed that the intentional use of deadly force is lawful. only as a last resort when individuals pose an imminent threat to life.
Call for surveys
“Based on the very scant information publicly provided by U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on board the targeted vessels appeared to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or in any way justified the use of lethal armed force against them under international law,” Mr. Türk said.
The High Commissioner called for prompt, independent and transparent investigations into the reported attacks.
While recognizing the serious challenges posed by drug trafficking, Mr. Türk urged the United States to ensure that all counter-narcotics operations respect international law, including the treaties to which it is a party.
“The United States should investigate and, if necessary, prosecute and punish individuals accused of serious crimes, consistent with the fundamental rule of law principles of due process and fair trial, which the United States has long upheld,” he concluded.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
