ISLAMABAD: In its report released on Tuesday, Amnesty International has accused the United States of carrying out unlawful killings in Pakistan through drone attacks‚ some of which could even amount to war crimes.
The rights group said secrecy surrounding the drones programme gives the US administration a license to kill beyond the reach of the courts or basic standards of international law.
In the report, Amnesty called upon the United States to publicly disclose the facts and legal basis for drone strikes. It demanded prompt‚ thorough‚ independent and impartial investigations into all drone attacks resulted in unlawful killings.
Pakistan has repeatedly stated that drone attacks are a violation of its sovereignty and has termed the attacks as counter-productive and a violation of international law. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also raised the drone issue at this year’s United Nations General Assembly session and sought an end to the attacks.
Moreover, Sharif who is visiting the United States had said prior to his arrival there that he would take up the issue during his meeting on Wednesday with US President Barack Obama.
The issue has been raised on several platforms and the legality of drone strikes has also been previously questioned by the UN human rights chief and the Amnesty International.
UN chief Ban-Ki moon, during his visit to Islamabad this year, had also urged for the controversial strikes to be brought within the sphere of international law. These attacks have also been described to undermine world security, according to another UN report.
