UN Human Rights Chief Condemns US Military Strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific

The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, has condemned the US military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, describing them as "unacceptable" and a violation of international human rights law. The strikes, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 people, are part of a campaign to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. Turk has called for an investigation into the strikes and urged the US to halt them.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, has condemned the US military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, describing them as "unacceptable" and a violation of international human rights law.
• At least 61 people have been killed in the 14 strikes carried out by the US military since the campaign began in early September.
• The US has justified the strikes as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, but the campaign against drug cartels has been divisive among countries in the region.
• Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for Turk's office, noted that countries have long agreed that the fight against illicit drug trafficking is a law enforcement matter governed by "careful limits" placed on the use of lethal force.
• Intentional use of lethal force is allowed only as a last resort against someone representing "an imminent threat to life," otherwise it would amount to a violation of the right of life and constitute extrajudicial killings.

Statistics:

• At least 61 people have been killed in the 14 strikes carried out by the US military since the campaign began in early September.
• The strikes have resulted in the deaths of all four people on board a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.
• The death toll has grown to at least 61 in the campaign, which has resulted in unauthorized killings.

Sources:

• "UN Condemns US attacks on boats in Caribbean and Pacific" by New Delhi Times, November 2.