UNITED NATIONS: The UN General Assembly on Friday called upon states using drone strikes as a counter-terrorism measure to comply with international law.

Through a consensus resolution in reference to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the UNGA for first time pronounced itself on the use of armed drones, a key but controversial component of the war against terrorism, as it dealt with terrorism-related issues.

In the past General Assembly did so in the context of human rights, approving a resolution, entitled “Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.”

The Assembly urged “Member States to ensure that any measures taken or means employed to counter terrorism, including the use of remotely piloted aircraft, comply with their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction and proportionality”.

In his Statement Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khan condemned the latest US drone strikes in North Waziristan, while affirming Pakistan’s commitment to stamp out terrorism.

“These strikes have an adverse impact on the Government’s efforts to bring peace and stability to Pakistan and the region,” Khan said, emphasising that the remotely piloted aircraft must comply with the United Nations Charter and international law.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2014