Drones, Filibusters, Kill Lists and More

Anti-war protesters disrupt the start of a nomination hearing for U.S. Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan before the Senate Intelligence Committee February 7, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Anti-war protesters disrupt the start of a nomination hearing for U.S. Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan before the Senate Intelligence Committee February 7, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Yesterday,the Senate Intelligence Committee endorsed a new director of the CIA — John Brennan. He is a controversial figure, and as you read this Senator Rand Paul and a bi-partisan group of Senators may still be attempting to filibuster the final Senate vote on his nomination. (You can check here.)

What’s the controversy? John Brennan is one of the chief architects of the administration’s drone killing policy, which has reportedly resulted in 4,700 people killed so far, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.

Read that number again. 4,700 human beings killed. Call us crazy, but don’t you think the world — including the thousands of people and families directly affected by drone attacks worldwide – deserves to know on what basis the Obama administration claims the right to kill people?

No more secrets with human lives at stake. Tell the Obama administration to disclose the secret drone killing memos to the public and follow the “rule book” for the use of lethal force that already exists — international law.

Earlier today, Attorney General Holder again defended the U.S. drone killing program and said President Obama will soon do the same. The Obama administration claims its use of drones to kill is “legal,” “ethical,” and “wise.” But we’re not buying it.

International law permits the use of lethal force in very restricted circumstances. But from the little information made available to the public, U.S. dronestrike policy appears to allow extrajudicial executions in violation of the right to life, virtually anywhere in the world.

Public outcry over the killer drone program is growing. And with Brennan’s nomination and drones back in the headlines, Congress may finally be starting to listen.

The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning asked Attorney General Holder tough questions about drones and lethal force. But so far, survivors of drone strikes and experts in international human rights law have been missing from Washington’s drone conversation.

Despite all the talk that new laws, rules or a “kill court” are needed, the fact is that the “rule book” for the use of lethal force with drones already exists –international human rights law and, in the exceptional circumstances where it applies, international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict) as well. The Obama administration must follow the law. Congress and the courts must hold them to it.

Drones may be here to stay. But now is our best chance to make sure U.S. drone policy follows the rule book that protects all of us.

AIUSA welcomes a lively and courteous discussion that follow our Community Guidelines. Comments are not pre-screened before they post but AIUSA reserves the right to remove any comments violating our guidelines.

3 thoughts on “Drones, Filibusters, Kill Lists and More

  1. Shame on you, Amnesty, for supporting this hawk in dove's clothing! Rand Paul is just another good old boy in the club that delivered us extraordinary rendition, indefinite detention, warrantless wiretapping, and torture! Choosing Rand Paul as your champion is ridiculous and gullible! Don't fall for this stunt!

  2. There is no way for them to put this so that the world will agree that the use of drones is legal and ethical. I can't believe they are trying to get away with this.

Comments are closed.