The UN slams US airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, calling them a grave violation of international human rights law. More than 60 people have died since early September in a series of deadly strikes carried out by US armed forces. The UN says these attacks are “unjustifiable under any circumstances” and has urged Washington to stop them immediately.
The United Nations has sharply condemned the United States for carrying out deadly airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific, killing over 60 people. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said these attacks “violate international human rights law” and urged Washington to stop the strikes immediately.
UN Raises Strong Concerns
UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, speaking on behalf of Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the recent US airstrikes took place outside any recognized armed conflict. Therefore, they cannot be justified under the laws of war. According to Shamdasani, these bombings “find no justification in international law” and have caused significant loss of civilian life.
She emphasized that international human rights law applies at all times, including during security operations, and that governments must respect the right to life. The UN’s concern is not only about the number of deaths but also the pattern of these attacks. The victims include people on small fishing and transport boats, many of whom had no confirmed connection to criminal activities.
Legal and Human Impact
Under human rights law, lethal force can only be used when absolutely necessary to protect lives. The UN slams US airstrikes because they appear to target individuals without clear evidence of imminent threat. These actions may amount to extrajudicial killings, a serious breach of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and customary international law.
The UN also highlighted the psychological and economic toll on coastal communities. Families have lost relatives, boats, and livelihoods. In some regions, fear of further airstrikes has stopped local trade and fishing activities, worsening poverty and instability.
Call for Action and Accountability
The UN has called for prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into each incident. It wants the United States to make the findings public and to ensure accountability for any unlawful killings. Ravina Shamdasani said that the High Commissioner expects cooperation from Washington and that victims’ families deserve truth and justice.
In addition, the UN slams US airstrikes for setting a dangerous global precedent. If such attacks go unchecked, other countries might justify similar operations beyond their borders. The organization urged all states to follow international law, respect human rights, and use lethal force only as a last resort.
Global and Political Reactions
Several nations have echoed the UN’s concern. Caribbean leaders have demanded more information from the US about the purpose and targets of these bombings. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also condemned the attacks and supported the UN’s call for investigations.
Analysts say this dispute may affect diplomatic relations and reshape debates about the limits of counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations. The growing criticism highlights the need for transparency in military actions carried out outside war zones.
Why This Matters
This statement marks one of the UN’s strongest criticisms of US military actions in recent years. It underscores a shift in global focus toward accountability, even for powerful nations. The UN slams US airstrikes not just for their human toll but also for eroding the international order that protects civilians in times of peace.
By demanding justice and lawful conduct, the UN hopes to restore faith in international norms and ensure that similar tragedies do not occur again. The pressure now rests on the US to respond, investigate, and reform its operational policies.
In summary, the UN slams US airstrikes for violating human rights, calls for justice for the victims, and demands that the US halt these deadly operations immediately. The world now watches closely to see how Washington will act under the growing weight of global scrutiny.
Source: United Nations
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