News
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
PTI submits resolution in NA against drone attacksISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday submitted a resolution against drone attacks in the National Assembly, terming them a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty and urging the government to respond militarily against such strikes. The copy of resolution indicates that drone attacks conducted earlier by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and now by the Pentagon through direct missiles fired on Pakistani territory are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. It cites the UN Charter Article 2(4), which states: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” The resolution says that US drone attacks violate the Geneva Conventions (1949). It notes that drones do not even provide the suspects a chance to surrender, and any person having characteristics of a militant are targeted by signature strikes, without confirming the identity of the suspect. Further, many drone strikes have targeted rescue workers that come to the site of a drone attack. It notes that drone strikes violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 6 states that “every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life”. The resolution called upon that government of Pakistan to immediately take steps to halt all drone attacks, including asking the US to end their drone strikes in Pakistani territory; taking diplomatic and, if need be, military measures to respond firmly to any such attack immediately and furthermore. The resolution states that the National Assembly seeks to remind the government of its obligations on the drones issue in view of the April 2013 judgement of the Peshawar High Court on a writ petition in which the court decided, inter alia: “Under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 particularly Article 199 thereof put this court under tremendous obligation to safeguard & protect the life & property of the citizen of Pakistan and any person for the time being in Pakistan, being fundamental rights.” tanveer ahmed
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk