For me, a few points need to be analysed before drones are added to the legal or illegal category.
KARACHI: The debate about the legality of drones is heating up once again. For me, a few points need to be analysed before drones are added to the legal or illegal category.
First of all, does the US use of force (drones) violate Pakistan’s sovereignty? In my opinion, according to the UN Charter, it violates the airspace of our country. Secondly, with reference to the militants who are targeted: don’t these people have any right to a fair trial? We don’t even know if they are lawfully targeted under applicable international human rights law. It is, however, safe to assume that they aren’t. Third, and most importantly, what about those casualties which don’t include the militants but are caused by drones? Innocent women and children dying in drone strikes surely must be in violation of humanitarian laws. Are these strikes even conforming to US domestic laws? Or better yet, if a militant were ever to hide on US soil, would the government use drones on its own soil as well?
As a citizen of this country, who voted for the current Pakistani government, I want answers to these questions. I, along with the rest of this country, deserve the answers.
Shehzeen Asim
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2013.
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