InfoAnda - U.N. investigator calls for halt to CIA drone killings |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Amazon net profit up but shares slide | 23 April 2010
Pakistan: 2 Sri Lankan cricket players wounded | 3 March 2009
- Tokyo urges Japan and China to avoid tit-for-tat claims | | 22 October 2010

On Saddam anniversary, Iraq readies macabre museum | International | | 31 December 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : U.N. investigator calls for halt to CIA drone killings |

Edition: U.S. Article Comments (1) Save Email Print Reprints Most Popular Most Shared BP inches ahead in latest bid to control oil spill | Video 1:21am EDT Israel calls Gaza blockade critics "hypocrites" | Video 1:53am EDT China delays Gates trip in apparent snub for Taiwan 02 Jun 2010 Caffeine addicts get no real perk from morning cup 02 Jun 2010 WRAPUP 1-BP inches ahead in latest bid to control oil spill 1:19am EDT SCENARIOS-The future for BP after the oil spill 1:01am EDT Powerful Cyclone Phet barrels toward Oman 02 Jun 2010 Asian stock jump after U.S. data | Video 3:02am EDT AT&T to end unlimited use mobile data plan 02 Jun 2010 Hole opens in Guatemala neighborhood, 3 missing 23 Feb 2007 Costa Rica shuts stem cell clinic 02 Jun 2010 Caffeine addicts get no real perk from morning cup 02 Jun 2010 Iran to sell 45 bln euros, buy dollars, gold -Xinhua 02 Jun 2010 AT&T to end unlimited use mobile data plan 02 Jun 2010 Burger diet linked to higher childhood asthma risk 02 Jun 2010 Israel calls Gaza blockade critics "hypocrites" | Video 1:53am EDT 2010 hurricane season seen more active than feared 02 Jun 2010 Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO 02 Jun 2010 Obama extends benefits for gay federal employees 02 Jun 2010 Vitamin E linked to less of the skin disease eczema 28 May 2010 U.N. investigator calls for halt to CIA drone killings Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA Wed Jun 2, 2010 10:48pm EDT Related News Israel in dock at top U.N. rights body for raid Tue, Jun 1 2010 U.S. believes it killed al Qaeda No. 3 Tue, Jun 1 2010 Q+A: Who was al Qaeda's operations chief Sa'id al-Masri? Tue, Jun 1 2010 Afghanistan's neighbors stir a witches brew Tue, Jun 1 2010 Pakistani law fuels hatred of Ahmadis: UN experts Mon, May 31 2010 Policemen stand guard behind barricades on a closed road leading towards the president's house and the parliament building in Islamabad, during a protest by tribesmen against military operations and drone attacks in the tribal areas January 23, 2009. Credit: Reuters/Mian Khursheed GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations investigator called Wednesday for a halt to CIA-directed drone strikes on suspected Islamic militants, warning that killings ordered far from the battlefield could lead to a "Playstation" mentality. World Philip Alston, U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, said missile strikes could be justified only when it was impossible to capture insurgents alive instead and only if they were carried out by regular U.S. armed forces operating with proper oversight and respect for the rules of war. The Central Intelligence Agency's use of unmanned Predator or Reaper drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan against al Qaeda and Taliban suspects had led to the death of "many hundreds," including innocent civilians, he said in a 29-page report. "Intelligence agencies, which by definition are determined to remain unaccountable except to their own paymasters, have no place in running programs that kill people in other countries," Alston said. The world does not know when and where the CIA is authorized to kill, its criteria for choosing targets, whether they are lawful killings, and how it follows up when civilians are illegally killed, said Alston, an independent expert who will present his report to the U.N. Human Rights Council Thursday. The CIA disputed the investigator's conclusion. "Without discussing or confirming any specific action or program, this agency's operations unfold within a framework of law and close government oversight. The accountability's real, and it would be wrong for anyone to suggest otherwise," a CIA spokesman said. The United States is among the Geneva forum's 47 members. Under President Barack Obama, the CIA has stepped up its drone strikes in the tribal zone of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, targeting not only high-level al Qaeda and Taliban targets but largely unknown foot soldiers as well. Following a directive first issued by former President George W. Bush and continued by Obama, the CIA has widened the "target set" for drone strikes in Pakistan, Reuters reported last month. Al Qaeda's third-in-command, Sheikh Sa'id al-Masri, is believed to have been killed in May in a U.S. missile strike in Pakistan, U.S. officials said earlier this week. The United States is believed to control the fleet of drones from CIA headquarters in Virginia, coordinating with civilian pilots near hidden airfields in Afghanistan and Pakistan who fly the drones remotely, according to Alston, an Australian who teaches at New York University School of Law. "PLAYSTATION MENTALITY" "Because operators are based thousands of miles away from the battlefield, and undertake operations entirely through computer screens and remote audio-feed, there is a risk of developing a 'Playstation' mentality to killing," he said, referring to the popular Sony video game console. Under international law, targeted killings are permitted in armed conflicts when used against fighters or civilians who engage directly in combat-like activities, Alston said. "But they are increasingly being used far from any battle zone." Israel stands accused of ordering the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a Hamas military commander, in a Dubai hotel room in January. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied a role in the murder. Alston said Russia was also suspected of conducting targeted killings in Chechnya and beyond the breakaway region as part of its counter-terrorism operations. The United States is among 40 countries with drone technology, according to Alston. Britain, China, France, India, Iran, Israel, Russia and Turkey are named as having or seeking the capacity to fire missiles from their drones. But countries should use graduated force and where possible capture suspects rather than kill them, he said. "Thus, rather than using drone strikes, U.S. forces should, wherever and whenever possible, conduct arrests or use less-than-lethal force to restrain," he said. (Editing by Noah Barkin and Eric Beech) World Comments See All Comments (1) | Post Comment Jun 03, 2010 3:36am EDT I sure don’t know who you are, anyway, drones do prevent Our Troops from being injured beyond recognition by mine fields. Please go visit them and see for yourself! bobma2z Report As Abusive See All Comments (1) Add a Comment *We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Analyst Research Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Labs Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Thursday, 3 June 2010
Iran denies nuclear gear vanished from facility
Gunman kills 12 in rampage through British tourist hotspot
Former US president George W. Bush joins Facebook
Western Balkans' future is in European Union: EU
Militants attack as Afghan peace conference starts
Outgoing Japan PM wants to keep his Twitter followers
US automakers post double-digit sales jump
French archaeologists dig up 30-year-old banquet
GM US sales jump 16.6% in May
Amazon Kindle going on sale in Target stores across US
Powerful Cyclone Phet barrels toward Oman |
Body of fugitive British gunman believed found: police
Finnish police scrap probe into Google privacy breach
Iran says enriching to higher levels as backup plan |
US pending home sales soar ahead of tax credit deadline
New floods in central Europe, at least two dead |
Iraqi Kurdish leader in Turkey for landmark visit |
Darfur activism had negative consequences: report |
Greek corruption inquiry lost in translation |
Moderate quake hits Papua New Guinea: US seismologists
At least 30 dead, 18 missing in south China rain, landslides
Foxconn confirms another employee death
Top Cambodian court upholds lawmaker's defamation conviction
Nearly 5 million downloaded Skype iPhone 3G app |
EBay CEO says volume on iPhone app could triple |
Chinese PM in Myanmar ahead of rare elections
Hong Kong deports democracy statue sculptor: lawmaker
Australian PM calls Israel's Netanyahu on Gaza aid flotilla
Sony to shut Blu-ray player factory in Hungary
AT&T, T-Mobile infringe patents, U.S. lawsuit says |
Toshiba invention brings quantum computing closer |
Twitter returns Chavez to Venezuela's reality |
Toyota US sales rise 6.7 percent in May
WTO members want more transparency from China
Cambodia promises effective use of international aid
China inflation could hit 3.7 percent in 2010: state media
Organisers reject S.Lanka Bollywood awards boycott
Old gold: Seniors find second life in modelling
'Wives' of Catholic priests speak out against celibacy
One careful owner... James Bond's Aston Martin up for sale
Churchill's cigar under hammer in London
Sick John Mayer cancels Europe shows, heads back to U.S. |
Russell Brand talks his way to Hollywood stardom |
TV film looks at odyssey of guitarist Billy McLaughlin |
Twilights Kristen Stewart likens her fame to rape |
Afghan peace conference mulls talks with Taliban
Paul McCartney honoured at White House
Israel calls Gaza blockade critics hypocrites |
Murdoch hails Apple's Jobs as top US CEO
Three killed in C.Europe floods, hundreds moved
Afghan elders debate peace plan despite Taliban attack |
Militants attack Afghan peace conference
First round of bidding closes for Newsweek
Six men to be isolated in 520-day 'Mars mission'
BOJ warns on public debt as Japan seeks new PM |
US debt tops 13 trillion dollars for first time
U.N. investigator calls for halt to CIA drone killings |
US automakers post double-digit sales jump
Oil closes in on Florida, BP saw snags on pipe
S.Korea hesitates bringing sea attack to U.N. council |
Somali troops storm cargo ship but pirates kill captain |
Another Foxconn worker dies, family blames overwork |
Bangladesh halts building collapse rescue, 25 dead
Powerful Cyclone Phet takes aim at Oman |
Former Aceh rebel dies at 85 in Indonesia
S.Korea's president suffers election setback
Minimum and maximum global temperatures in Celsius
Computers used in drive to test stress levels
Korean tensions top agenda at Asian security forum
Ugly row over Australia's Facebook 'freaks'
S.Africa's Zuma seeks to boost India trade links
Asian Games Chinese host city to force out beggars
Angry passengers attack China airport staff
China 'not very optimistic' on cutting emissions
U.S. Markets Rally On Strong Home Sales, Energy Rebound
Indian Minister Sets Tone For U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue
Mexicans Angered by Beating Death of Illegal Immigrant in California
Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO |
Nokia Siemens conducts 30 next gen LTE network trials |
Pakistan central bank chief resigns
Yen drops against dollar
China begins trial of energy tax in oil region
Jackson memorial museum complex plans unveiled
Oil spill likely to doom Louisiana seaside restaurant
Spain to extend smoking ban to bars, restaurants next year
Butoh legend, Japanese dancer Ohno dies at 103
Director James Cameron says BP turned down help offer |
Adam Lambert promises sexy but tasteful show |
Court halts release of Jim Carrey film |
Actor Brad Pitt joins U.S. bid to host World Cup |
Obama presents award to former Beatle McCartney |
Oprah Winfrey among Minerva Award recipients |
Red Dawn remake irks Beijing |
Grand Ole Opry back in Oct. after $17 million in flood repairs |
Mother of seven touted as new German president
Security boosted for Afghan 'peace jirga'
Taiwan's Green Book unveils lightest e-book reader
Aid ship sailing towards Gaza, prefers U.N. escort |
Gaza activists hailed as ambassador recalled from Israel
Briton warned of 'rampage' before shooting 12 dead
Did bloggers bring down the German president?
BP rocked by ratings downgrades
Differences remain at Afghan peace conference
Aquino has unbeatable lead in Philippine vote tally |
Nokia launches bicycle-powered charger
Taiwan: Time is not right to bolster Iran ties
BP Organizes Massive Apology Campaign
Spill threatens Florida's beaches and tourism
Afghan peace conference mulls talks with Taliban
Movie Ticket Vendor Fandango Offering 10-Cent Ticket Giveaways For 10th Anniversary
British police seek answers after shooting rampage |
Australian commando has suspected drug overdose
Maytag Recalls More Than 1 Million Dishwashers
U.S.-India Business Body To Strengthen Educational Links
Man Shot, Dragged For Miles In Possible South Carolina Hate Crime
New Jersey "Real Housewife" Danielle Staub To Record Pop Track
Nokia launches bicycle-powered charger
Liza Minnelli Denies "Celebrity Rehab" Participation
Turkey, Iraqi Kurds see deeper ties after visit |
U.S. Marshals Capture 73-Year-Old Fugitive
Study: Indian Consumers Best At Making Green Choices, Americans Least
U.S. backs South Korea in face of unpredictable North |
Threat To Blow Up FBI Building In D.C. Results In Prison Term
North Korean envoy warns war could erupt soon |
Imprisoned Azeri journalist goes on hunger strike |
US senator cancels Myanmar trip on nuclear suspicions
Chinese and Myanmar leaders sign deals, discuss border
US senator nixes Myanmar trip over nuclear concern
Death toll from China landslides rises to 38
US senator to meet Suu Kyi on Myanmar trip
Pacific islands adapt to climate change
Anwar accuser was sodomised, says Malaysian doctor
Egypt opposition get four upper house seats |
Book asks: Is Internet ruining our minds? |
Nokia unveils 4 cheap phones |
EU court says countries can ban online gambling |
Zuma calls for stronger ties with India
G20 warns global recovery still fragile: draft
Nokia unveils bicycle mobile charger |
B.B. King to keep playing until 'called from above'
Honda's China strike a lesson for Japanese exporters
Excavation throws up 1980s lunch
Asian oil prices rebound as US stocks soar
Jeff Koons to give Le Mans art-car fee to charity
'Twilight' author to issue last of vampire series
G-20 finance officials begin global economy talks
Honda says China factories back to work Friday
Wallander writer may bar Hebrew version of books
Honda to resume car production in China
Century-old S.African market fights new mall plans
Japan's Prime Minister To Step Down
Offer you can refuse? Holidays on ex-mafia hideout
Taiwan president faces hurdles in key China deal
Mars Trip Simulation To Lock Up 6 Men In Mock Spaceship For 18 Months
Namibians Sterilized Without Consent Sue Government For $130,000
Bollywood stars arrive in Sri Lanka for awards
China, Japan Form Largest Ecommerce Service With 260 Million Users
Couple Destined To Be Together
Military Aircraft Injures 10 In Memorial Day Demonstration
Landslide-Formed Lake Overflows In Pakistan, Threatens To Engulf Villages
‘Sack Tapping’ Results In Testicle Loss For One Boy
Sting goes classical as kicks off world tour Symphonicity |
Pop princess Minogue tweets and says love life rosy |
Brad Pitt joins U.S. bid to host World Cup |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01