By Naureen Shah, Advocacy Adviser at Amnesty International USA
Today, filmmaker Brave New Foundation released this virtual legal debate on drone strikes, featuring Amnesty International USA and other leading human rights and civil rights organizations. Brave New Foundation’s full documentary on drone strikes will be released October 30. The virtual legal debate shows that too often, the U.S. government’s rhetoric has not matched the reality of U.S. policies and practices that treat the world as a global battlefield.
The last month has seen an escalation in drone strikes more dramatic than any since 2009. Media estimate that about 40 people have died in a series of strikes in Yemen, and nearly all of their identities are at this time unknown.
The increase in strikes is a bleak reminder that despite President Obama’s recent pledges to make the drone program more transparent, it remains fundamentally secretive and unaccountable to the public. Moreover, publicly available information still indicates that the U.S. government’s policy appears to permit extrajudicial executions, in violation of international human rights law, virtually anywhere in the world.
Together, we can prevent this injustice. Take action and urge President Obama and Congress to follow Amnesty International’s 5 Point Plan to prevent extrajudicial executions.
We have enough of Lies ,enough of Wars , Mr Obama and all your Friends Can you sop it to think only about Power and just for change give a Peace A chance ?
Still need approval for Peace ? You are jocking I presume !
We have enough of Lies ,enough of Wars
To make the Drone War public information is as stupid as you can get in a war. The program is successful in eliminating known killer terrorists. They have declared in public that they want to kill Americans and Westerners why make the facts public and let them know how they are being targeted.
You want to avoid a drone strike in your neighborhood? do not stay in the terrorist killing business, go in another line of work, if you target us we will try to kill you first, details "unknown" end of our public information on this matter.
in 2013 everybody was going insane over how the US should mind its own business and leave other countries alone. Well, now there's stuff happening in Ukraine and everybody's going nuts over the fact that the US isn't doing anything. Not cool, people!
I'm sure there are many other secrets that we are not aware of. Should we remember wikileaks?
Our best chance right now at finding out some secrets that the government keeps from us is Snowden, but i have a feeling we're in for a surprise from or about him
I can't even listen to these interviews anymore. This word is crazy and it seems like we have a real hunger for violence.
I don't know why people still bother with this. the Government is obviously never going to tell us the truth!
We need a leader that's honest and open with us, but we won't be getting something like this soon…
You need to learn to read between the lines! Nobody will ever tell you what you need to know… you need to find out on your own
i think drones are a major scientific breakthrough and discovery, but I think the way the US are using them is abusive
Thanks for sharing.