UN urges Israel and USA to review drone attacks

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on Monday that the use of armed drones like any other weapon should have been subject to long-standing international law, including international humanitarian law. Pillay has spoken in a video conference, saying that she is "seriously concerned about human rights implications for the protection of civilians of armed drone strikes carried out in the context of counter-terrorism and military operations including in Pakistan, Yemen and Gaza." Pillay said that the current lack of transparency surrounding their use (the use of drones) created an accountability vacuum and affects the ability of victims to seek redress. "I urge relevant states to clarify the legal basis for such strikes as well as the safeguards in place to ensure compliance with applicable international law," Pillay said.