Human Rights Watch urges US allies to condemn alleged unlawful strikes on drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean, calling them extrajudicial killings.
WASHINGTON: Human Rights Watch has called on allies of the United States to condemn a series of “unlawful” strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
The advocacy group labelled the attacks “unlawful extrajudicial killings” in a statement on Tuesday.
More than 80 people have been killed in the Trump administration’s months-long campaign.
Governments partnering with the US on counternarcotics efforts should assess if intelligence sharing risks making them complicit, the group said.
US authorities have not provided specific evidence the targeted boats were ferrying drugs.
“The rules-based international order depends on countries speaking out against violations, even when they’re committed by powerful friends,” said Sarah Yager, Human Rights Watch’s Washington director.
The group listed Canada, Britain, France and the Netherlands as countries that should be more vocal.
The campaign has divided US lawmakers and put pressure on top officials.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has distanced himself from one operation.
A second strike in that incident hit survivors of an initial attack on an alleged smuggling boat.
The White House said a US admiral acting under Hegseth ordered the follow-up attack.
Human Rights Watch said France, Britain and the Netherlands “have significant influence in the Caribbean”.
It urged them to “perform due diligence and evaluate their maritime cooperation” with Washington’s military campaign.
“Under both US and international law, those accused of crimes should be arrested and tried, not summarily executed,” the organisation said.
