The US Should Also Acknowledge the Rights of Those Affected by Its Drone Attacks in Pakistan

The U.S. Senate has approved a bill allowing survivors of those killed in the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for compensation of their loss. The bill, Justice Against Sponsorship of Terrorism, has already been approved by the House of Representatives and has also been signed by the U.S. president. Cases under the act may be filed in New York federal court, where lawyers will seek to prove that Saudis were involved in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

There is a big difference between Saudis being involved in the 9/11 attacks and involvement of the government of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has always denied any involvement in the attacks. Had Saudi Arabia been involved in the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. would not have had the kind of relations with Saudi Arabia that it has had from the time of the attacks up to the present time.

Saudi Arabia has always disclaimed any connection with the people involved in the 9/11 attacks. The debris of their attacks cannot be laid at Saudi Arabia’s door. Even if the lawmaking institutions of the U.S. approve this bill and it is given its final shape, Saudi Arabia is not bound by U.S. laws. However, in this situation, the relations between the two countries will become strained, which is not in the interest of America itself. Additional unrest will engulf the whole world. Since Saudi Arabia was not involved directly or indirectly in the 9/11 attacks, there is no rational or moral justification for the manner in which the U.S. seeks to secure compensation from Saudi Arabia for those affected by the attacks.

On the other hand, U.S. drone attacks that affected thousands of people in Pakistan were conducted directly by the United States. Hence, under the proposed U.S. law, Pakistani citizens affected by the drone attacks should also be entitled to file claims against the U.S. for compensation of their losses. There would be legal as well as rational and moral justification for the U.S. to provide compensation to people affected by its drone attacks. Consequently, the U.S. should also accept the right of those affected by U.S. drone attacks to receive compensation.