Support for the UN Special Rapporteurs’ Press Release on the death of Osama Bin Laden

 

 

 

 

Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS), Conectas Direitos Humanos and Corporación Humanas categorically condemn the acts of Osama Bin Laden, who claimed responsibility for the death of approximately 3000 people in the attacks of the twin towers, perpetrated on September 2001 in the United States, and who called for the practice of similar acts. For these conducts, he should have been subjected to trial. 

 

Concerning the circumstances of his death in Pakistan, we coincide with the views of the UN Special Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary executions (Christof Heyns) and on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism (Martin Scheinin), who in a recent press release emphasized the importance of the observance of international human rights law in regards to the operations against terrorism. The Rapporteurs also affirmed that persons accused of terrorism should be treated the same way as others charged for committing crimes, ensuring due legal process, both relating to preventive detention and to the need for a decision dictated by an impartial court in regards to their responsibility and applicable punishment. 

 

The Rapporteurs urged the United States to disclose relevant information on this operation, so that it can be evaluated from the perspective of international human rights law. They especially requested information if efforts made to capture Osama Bin Laden alive. We stand by this request.  

 

Similarly, we wish to express our deep concern about the “targeted killings” doctrine. This policy institutionalizes the practice of extrajudicial executions, in violation of international human rights norms. It also underscores the importance of strengthening the development of international law to include extraterritorial actions. We urge the international community to react on this front.   

 

Lastly, we would like to reaffirm the commitment with the administration of justice as the way in which States and individuals have agreed that controversies be resolved, and that persons that commit crimes be punished. This is the only way to make justice and to fight against impunity. 

 

 

Contacts:

CELS – comunicacion@cels.org.ar

Conectas Direitos Humanos – conectas@conectas.org

Corporación Humanas – holea@humanas.cl 

 

 

Read the public statement also in Portuguese and Spanish.