Over 60 Reportedly Killed in US Strikes at Sea Since September, Deemed Violations of International Law
UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has publicly supported the UN human rights chief’s urgent call for the United States to halt airstrikes targeting boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, issued a strong statement asserting that the US must cease such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the “extrajudicial killing” of people aboard these vessels, regardless of the alleged criminal conduct.
The UN statement highlighted that over 60 people have reportedly been killed in a continuing series of attacks carried out by US armed forces against boats in the two regions since early September. These strikes, the statement concluded, are being conducted in circumstances that “find no justification in international law.”
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Chief, confirmed the Secretary-General “echoed” the Human Rights Chief’s position, emphasizing that such operations must strictly adhere to international standards, including established limits on the lethal use of force. Dujarric added that combating organized crime effectively requires international cooperation and innovative public policies to address the root causes of violence and drug addiction.
