Secret 'Kill Lists' Fly in the Face of US and Int'l Law

[unhappycamper]

Secret 'Kill Lists' Fly in the Face of US and Int'l Law
Published on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

NEW YORK - Two of the nation's most influential human rights organisations have filed a lawsuit challenging the government's authority to carry out "targeted killings" of U.S. citizens located far from any armed conflict zone.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) charge that the authority contemplated by the Obama administration is far broader than what the Constitution and international law allow.

The organisations claim that, "outside of armed conflict, both the Constitution and international law prohibit targeted killing except as a last resort to protect against concrete, specific, and imminent threats of death or serious physical injury. An extrajudicial killing policy under which names are added to CIA and military 'kill lists' through a secret executive process and stay there for months at a time is plainly not limited to imminent threats."

The CCR and the ACLU were retained by Nasser al-Awlaki to bring the lawsuit in connection with the government's decision to authorise the targeted killing of his son, U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, whom the CIA and Defense Department have marked for death.

The complaint asks a court to rule that using lethal force far from any battlefield and without judicial process is illegal in all but the narrowest circumstances; and to prohibit the government from carrying out targeted killings except in compliance with these standards. It also asks the court to order the government to disclose the standards it uses to place U.S. citizens on government kill lists.

[sabrina 1]

1. I rec'd this post but someone has no problem with the U.S.

being turned into a third world dictatorship so long as we keep it quiet.

I have to thank the unrec'er. At least s/he recognizes how shameful this violation of the law is.

I am so glad someone is trying to keep this country from falling any further into third world dictator status than it has already.

Americans should be, and I know many are, so ashamed of what has become of their country.

'kill lists' ~ it is sickening, really thoroughly sickening.

Thank you to the ACLU, time to donate to them again ...

I hope they are able to stop this insanity.

[dipsydoodle]

4. ditto

.

[Solly Mack]

2. k/r

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Exactly how far from a battlefield is it ok to kill terrorists?

[unhappycamper]

5. ..

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. So, you are saying that it should be illegal for us to kill bin Laden if he is in Pakistan?

[unhappycamper]

7. We are not targeting bin Laden.

We are droning or Special Forcing alleged 'enemies'.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. What legal standard makes it ok to kill bin Laden but not al-Awlaki?

[sabrina 1]

14. None that I'm aware of. After all we are the loudest voices to

rage about 'Fatwas' being issued by other countries. Not to mention our own and International laws. You agreed with Bush's Fatwa on Osama Bin Laden? I thought at least progressives were opposed to his violations of our laws and disrespect for the rule of law.

[gratuitous]

13. Yes

Even Osama bin Laden is entitled to the due process of law.

Heretical, I know. I'll go for my drug test now, because I'm clearly not a good American.

[Fumesucker]

8. As far as Obama wants..

We will never have another Republican president so there's absolutely nothing to worry about, we can rest assured that this power will never ever be abused.

[Iterate]

9. Targets get smaller, lists get longer, everyone moves toward the top.

+1

[Octafish]

10. K&R The USA does not prosecute and kill without trial or declaration of war.

When the USA does that, it no longer is the USA.

[jberryhill]

12. Paging Octafish, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow On The White Courtesy Phone....

The US has never had a problem going after armed and dangerous fugitives.

[SlipperySlope]

15. Would you feel better if they were public kill lists?

What if the government posted their kill list on a website every Monday. Would that resolve the problem with them being secret kill lists?