Category Archives: Human Rights

“Forensic Architects” recreate drone strikes

Posted on March 25, 2014 by understandingempire

Story here on the growing use of computer programs to virtually recreate the impact of drone strikes using satellite imagery. The visual data can then be used by “forensic architects” to assess whether a disproportionate number of civilians were targeted in … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensic Architecture, Human Rights | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

UN Special Rapporteur releases final report on drone strikes

Posted on March 3, 2014 by understandingempire

Drone Wars UK click to download report Ben Emmerson, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and countering terrorism has issued his final report into the impact of drone strikes on civilians.  Briefly, as I have only just seen it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Law and Lawfare | Leave a comment

Amnesty International: Drone strikes may amount to war crimes

Posted on October 22, 2013 by understandingempire

Hot on the heels of two UN reports, Amnesty International has released a report on drone strikes in Pakistan, entitled “Will I Be Next?”. The study is not comprehensive, but rather a “qualitative assessment based on detailed field research into … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Law and Lawfare, Pakistan | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

UN Rapporteur: Drones are doing “structural damage” to international security

Posted on October 18, 2013 by understandingempire

The UN’s special rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, has submitted a long-awaited report on the use of armed drones. While no nation is singled out, the U.S. is evidently the focus of Heyn’s analysis, which recommends … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Law and Lawfare | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

UN peacekeepers to acquire first drone in Congo

Posted on August 5, 2013 by understandingempire

The United Nations has confirmed its peacekeepers will deploy an Italian-made drone in eastern Congo, a region that has been engulfed in conflict for close to two decades. The “Falco” will fly after the UN Security Council approved the trial … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Human Rights | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

US drone strikes in Afghanistan more deadly than manned

Posted on July 3, 2013 by understandingempire

According to a study by Larry Lewis, adviser to the military’s Joint Staff, and Sarah Holewinski of the non-governmental organization Center for Civilians in Conflict, U.S. drone strikes in Afghanistan result in significantly more civilian deaths than regular fighter jets … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Human Rights | Tagged , | Leave a comment

International Crisis Group: Drone strikes in Pakistan not long-term solution

Posted on May 22, 2013 by understandingempire

A report by the Geneva-based International Crisis Group has criticized by the U.S. and Pakistani governments for failing to improve upon the conditions that give rise to Islamic militancy in the tribal areas – namely political isolation from the Pakistani … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Pakistan | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Half killed in U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan are “unknown extremists”

Posted on April 15, 2013 by understandingempire

The Independent reports on recently leaked U.S. documents show that in one year alone almost half killed were listed as “unknown extremists”. No doubt this is a result of targeting practices called signature strikes that track and eliminate suspicious “patterns … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Pakistan | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Human rights group sign joint letter to Obama

Posted on April 15, 2013 by understandingempire

The “statement of shared concern” said the administration should “publicly disclose key targeted killing standards and criteria; ensure that U.S. lethal force operations abroad comply with international law; enable meaningful Congressional oversight and judicial review; and ensure effective investigations, tracking … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Law and Lawfare, Obama | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

HRW: Gaza Airstrikes Violated Laws of War

Posted on February 14, 2013 by understandingempire

 At least 18 Israeli airstrikes during the fighting in Gaza in November 2012 were in apparent violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today after a detailed investigation into the attacks. These airstrikes killed at least 43 … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Israel, Law and Lawfare | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment