Litigating Drone Strikes

Challenging the Global Network of Remote Killing

Andreas Schüller, Wolfgang Kaleck
Book
2017

ECCHR's publication Litigating Drone Strikes: Challenging the Global Network of Remote Killing documents a conference hosted by ECCHR in October 2016 on the impact of drone attacks on law, warfare and society. The publication presents contributions from international political and legal experts on the background and consequences of the global drone wars.
 
The growth in the use of armed drones – the ability to carry out airstrikes anywhere, at any time – is changing the very nature of conflict. Since 2009 the US has been expanding its drone program, resulting in thousands of deaths. To carry out the strikes, the US uses military bases and stations in Germany (Ramstein), Italy (Sigonella), Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Djibouti, Tunisia, Niger, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states.
 
Other states are following the US model and are setting up or planning similar drone programs. While those programs are still geographically limited, the trend points towards an increasingly widespread deployment of weaponized drones by many different actors.
 
But these developments are being met with resistance. Drone strike survivors and people living with the effects of drones are working with lawyers, activists, journalists and others to end or at least limit the use of armed drones.