Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence

Andrea Birdsall

doi:10.4337/9781789909890.00013

Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

The chapter considers the US government’s justifications of counterterrorism measures with a particular focus on the use drones for targeted killings. In line with the book’s overall framing, the US can be seen as ejecting traditional understandings of some fundamental human rights principles in favour of co-opted ideas of group rights to security. Particularly the way in which drones are being used in counterterrorism campaigns raises a number of important questions related to the laws of armed conflict, such as proportionality and the principle of distinction. The chapter analyses US legal justifications for its actions and evaluates the potential for broader impacts on international human rights and humanitarian law.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Human Rights in Times of Transition
Subtitle of host publication	Liberal Democracies and Challenges of National Security
Editors	Kasey McCall-Smith, Andrea Birdsall, Elisenda Casanas Adam
Place of Publication	Cheltenham
Publisher	Edward Elgar Publishing
Chapter	6
Pages	116–138
Number of pages	23
ISBN (Electronic)	9781789909890
ISBN (Print)	9781789909883
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789909890.00013
Publication status	Published - 17 Nov 2020

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10.4337/9781789909890.00013

1 Book

Human Rights in Times of Transition: Liberal Democracies and the Challenges of National Security
McCall-Smith, K. (Editor), Birdsall, A. (Editor) & Casanas Adam, E. (Editor), 24 Nov 2020, Edward Elgar Publishing. 264 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book

Cite this

Birdsall, A. (2020). Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence. In K. McCall-Smith, A. Birdsall, & E. Casanas Adam (Eds.), Human Rights in Times of Transition: Liberal Democracies and Challenges of National Security (pp. 116–138). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789909890.00013

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Birdsall, A 2020, Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence. in K McCall-Smith, A Birdsall & E Casanas Adam (eds), Human Rights in Times of Transition: Liberal Democracies and Challenges of National Security. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp. 116–138. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789909890.00013

Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence. / Birdsall, Andrea.
Human Rights in Times of Transition: Liberal Democracies and Challenges of National Security. ed. / Kasey McCall-Smith; Andrea Birdsall; Elisenda Casanas Adam. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020. p. 116–138.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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A2 - McCall-Smith, Kasey

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A2 - Casanas Adam, Elisenda

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ER -

Counterterrorism and challenges to human rights: Justifying drones and targeted killing as acts of self-defence

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Research output

Human Rights in Times of Transition: Liberal Democracies and the Challenges of National Security

Cite this