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UN Chief Urges US to Halt Airstrikes Amid Caribbean, Pacific Boat Attacks

The UN Secretary-General has thrown his support behind the human rights chief's demand for the United States to stop airstrikes on boats. These attacks in the Caribbean and Pacific have reportedly killed more than 60 people since September. UN officials say the circumstances of these strikes find no justification under international law. The organization emphasizes that combating organized crime requires addressing root causes rather than lethal force.

Key Points: UN Chief Guterres Backs Call to Stop US Airstrikes on Boats

  • UN chief echoes call to halt US airstrikes on Caribbean and Pacific boats
  • Over 60 people killed in attacks since early September according to UN officials
  • US operations must adhere to international law and human rights standards
  • UN urges addressing root causes of violence and drug addiction
  • Airstrikes violate international human rights law per UN assessment
2 min read

UN chief echoes statement urging US to halt airstrikes on boats in Caribbean, Pacific

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres supports human rights chief's demand for US to halt Caribbean and Pacific airstrikes that killed over 60 people since September.

UN chief echoes statement urging US to halt airstrikes on boats in Caribbean, Pacific
"These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable - Ravina Shamdasani, UN Human Rights Office"

United Nations, Nov 1

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed a statement issued by the UN human rights chief which urges the United States to halt airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific, a UN spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in the statement that the United States "must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them."

"Over 60 people have reportedly been killed in a continuing series of attacks carried out by US armed forces against boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific since early September, in circumstances that find no justification in international law," the statement said.

Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for Turk's office, relayed his message on Friday at a regular UN briefing: "These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable. The US must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats."

She said Turk believed "airstrikes by the United States of America on boats in the Caribbean and in the Pacific violate international human rights law."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, told a daily briefing that the Secretary-General echoed what Volker said, adding that the operations must adhere to international standards, including limits on the lethal use of force, Xinhua news agency reported.

He noted that combating organized crime requires international cooperation as well as innovative public policies to address the root causes of the violence and drug addiction. "This is the analysis that Mr. Turk's office has developed, and we fully back it."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I understand the need to combat organized crime, extrajudicial killings set a dangerous precedent. As a country that champions human rights globally, the US should lead by example, not violate international norms.
A
Arjun K
UN is absolutely right here. No country should have the power to conduct airstrikes on civilian boats without proper investigation. This reminds me of how powerful nations often bypass international law when it suits them. 😔
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I think the UN should focus more on the drug trafficking problem itself rather than just criticizing the response. These boats are often carrying illegal narcotics that destroy lives globally. The situation is more complex than it appears.
V
Vikram M
International cooperation is key, as mentioned in the article. Instead of unilateral military action, the US should work with Caribbean and Pacific nations to address the root causes. This approach would be more effective and lawful.
M
Michael C
Every life matters. The mounting human cost is indeed unacceptable. The US needs to find better ways to handle this crisis that don't involve killing people without trial. Human rights should never be compromised, no matter the circumstances.

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