Categories: World

UN: Targeted killing of Iran's Soleimani unlawful

Without an actual imminent threat to life, the targeted killing of Iran's General Qasem Soleimani in an American airstrike earlier this year was unlawful, according to a latest UN report.

Presenting the report to the UN Human Rights Council yesterday ,on the use of force under drones technology, Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said the US action constituted an arbitrary killing, reports Xinhua news agency.

"In light of the evidence that the US has provided to date, the targeting of General Soleimani, and the deaths of those accompanying him, constitute an arbitrary killing," Callamard said in her report.

According to the report, the strike near the Baghdad airport on January 3 was in violation of the UN Charter with insufficient evidence provided of an ongoing or imminent attack.

No evidence General Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, specifically was planning an imminent attack against US interests, particularly in Iraq, for which immediate action was necessary and would have been justified has been provided that, the report said.

Also no evidence has been provided that a drone strike in a third country was necessary or that the harm caused to that country was proportionate to the harm allegedly averted, the report added.

Besides Soleimani, the US airstrike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary forces..

AddThis Website Tools
IANS

Recent Posts

Taiwan bolsters combat readiness, prepares for ‘war of endurance’ against China threat

Taiwan's military is prioritising combat readiness as a key aspect of deterrence due to escalating…

14 hours ago

“When every state is Viksit, India will be Viksit”: PM Modi at NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting

Calling for an increase in the speed of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on…

14 hours ago

Scottish Parliament opposes Chinese interference in Dalai Lama’s reincarnation

The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting religious freedom and human rights for…

18 hours ago

Baloch American Congress President urges PM Modi to back Free Balochistan movement

Tara Chand Baloch, the President of the Baloch American Congress and a former Cabinet minister…

18 hours ago

New study identifies blood molecules that could revolutionise teen depression diagnosis

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from McGill University have identified nine biological markers in the…

19 hours ago

India rebuts Pakistan’s disinformation on Indus Water Treaty at UNSC

India, in a firm and unequivocal statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accused…

20 hours ago