June 21, 2012 9:00:21 am
A UN human rights expert has accused the US government of sidestepping his questions on its use of armed drones to carry out targeted killings overseas.
The UN’s independent investigator on extrajudicial killings has asked the United States to lay out the legal basis and accountability procedures for the use of armed drones.
Christof Heyns also wants the US to publish figures on the number of civilians killed in drone strikes against suspected terror leaders in Afghanistan,Pakistan,Yemen and elsewhere.
Heyns told reporters in Geneva today that his questions weren’t answered by a written statement the US submitted to the UN Human Rights Council this week.
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The statement doesn’t mention drones directly,but cites three speeches by Obama administration officials that discuss US counterterrorism operations.
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