Drones and the Kill List

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as UAVs, have become globally renowned in the worldwide catalog of infamy by the term “drones.” In English, that term designates a crewless aircraft and has acquired an informal and generalized casual rendering into Spanish, pronouncing it as written.

The important thing is that the term deals with what is one of the most lethal and murderous weapons, which is increasing its presence in a good part of the world.

Research conducted with considerable seriousness and extensive rigor has documented how weapon-equipped U.S. drones kill numerous innocent civilians in Pakistan, Yemen and other countries every day. Unarmed versions carry out espionage missions on the Mexican-U.S. border and inside Mexican territory, possibly as far as Central America.

Drones affect international stability and give rise to new resentments and motives for reprisal and vengeance. Their ability to attack remote targets — regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen, for example — from U.S. military installations provides those who use them with a perception of total impunity.

Armed drones should be no more acceptable or legal under current international law than landmines, cluster bombs or chemical weapons. The world should renounce them and prohibit their manufacture, possession and use. Violations of this norm should be sanctioned with appropriate measures for any nation.

More than 21,000 civil society organizations from around the world, among them the Mexican-based Latin American Circle of International Studies, have initiated a global campaign urging United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to investigate concerns expressed by Navanethem Pillay, the High Commissioner for Refugees,* about violations of international law involving drones, as well as initiating sanctions against countries that use, possess or produce them.

The call is likewise directed to Luis Moreno Ocampo, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, with the aim that he determine a possible legal basis to proceed against those responsible for drone attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the ambassadors of countries represented in Washington [are also called to] ratify a treaty prohibiting the possession and use of armed drones.

In a similar manner, they have appealed to U.S. President Barack Obama, urging him to abandon the use of armed drones and cancel his “kill list” program, independently of whatever technological measures that he can employ to bring about objectives under this rubric.

The New York Times revealed that Obama meets every Tuesday with Pentagon and national security officials in the White House’s Situation Room to review photographs and biographies of presumed terrorists who may have been killed with drones in remote regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and possibly other countries that have not been expressly mentioned.

Of course, he also needs the support of the U.S. Congress, dominated in good measure by both open and closet militarists. Civil society’s call is directed to the leaders of both chambers as well.

As has been proposed by the legislator Dennis Kucinich – without doubt, a voice of unquestionable moral character and a representative for the progressive sentiments of his country – Americans cannot continue using drones, as they imply a profound low point regarding legal corruption, politics and soul of the nation.

The global campaign is underway, requiring all the support and solidarity of international civil society. Those who wish to sign the appeal may do so at the following link: http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6180

*Translator’s Note: The author misidentifies Navanethem Pillay as the U.N.’s High Commissioner for Refugees; she is actually the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a separate U.N. office.