UN expert to investigate drone strikes, targeted killings

A UN expert yesterday launched a special investigation into drone warfare and targeted killings, which has emerged as the US' front-line weapon in its global war against Al Qaeda.

Pakistan is among the three, which officially opposes the use of US drones on its territory as an infringement of its sovereignty but is believed to have approved a few strikes in the past. According to Pakistani officials, the drone strikes kill many innocent civilians, which the US rejects.

The other two unnamed countries requesting the investigation have been identified as two permanent members of the UN Security Council, which made it  clear the two countries were Russia and China, since the other permanent members are the US and allies France and Britain.

The civilian killings and injuries that result from drone strikes on suspected terrorist cells would be covered under the investigation by British lawyer Ben Emmerson, the UN rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights.

According to the UN, Emmerson would present his findings to the UN General Assembly later this year.

The exponential rise in the use of drone technology in a variety of military and non-military contexts represented a real challenge to the framework of established international law, Emmerson said in announcing the probe yesterday in London.