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Targeted Killing in International Law

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This article is about the book. For the concept, seeTargeted killing.

Targeted Killing in International Law
Book cover
AuthorNils Melzer
LanguageEnglish
SeriesOxford Monographs in International Law
SubjectTargeted killing
GenreWarfare
PublisherOxford University Press
Publication date
29 May 2008
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typeHardback
Pages524
ISBN978-0-19-953316-9
OCLC489257770

Targeted Killing in International Lawis a book about the legality oftargeted killing,written byNils Melzer.It was first published byOxford University Pressin May 2008. The book explores the history of targeted killing, as a government strategy by multiple countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland and Germany; for both military and law enforcement purposes. Melzer argues that directly after theSeptember 11 attacksin the United States, perceptions of the tactic became more positive.

Melzer holds a PhD degree in law from theUniversity of Zürich.His dissertation dealt with targeted killing and the book updates and revises that work. He had earlier written on the subject forYearbook of International Humanitarian Lawin 2006. Melzer serves as a legal advisor for theInternational Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC). He has lectured at the Master-level at the Geneva Academy ofInternational Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

The book received a favorable reception and was a joint winner of the 2009 Paul Guggenheim Prize in International Law given by theGeneva Graduate Institute.It garnered positive reviews in publications including theInternational Criminal Justice Review,theEuropean Journal of International Law,theLeiden Journal of International Law,theAustralian Year Book of International Law,theAmerican Journal of International Law,and in the bookLegislating the War on Terror: An Agenda for Reform.

Background[edit]

Nils Melzer graduatedsumma cum laudefrom theUniversity of Zürichwith a PhD degree in law.[1][2]Melzer worked for the District Court ofMeilen,Zürich,first as a Judicial Clerk and then as Judicial Secretary.[1][2]Melzer serves as a legal advisor for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).[3][4]He lectured at the Master-level at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.[1][2]

Prior to the book, Melzer published "Targeted Killing or Less Harmful Means? – Israel's High Court Judgment on Targeted Killing and the Restrictive Function of Military Necessity" in theYearbook of International Humanitarian Lawin 2006,[5]and a dissertation in 2007.[6][7]Melzer also authored "Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law", published in 2009 by ICRC.[1][2]Melzer's research was utilized in Section IX of the ICRC's Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law.[8][9]

Targeted Killing in International Lawis part of the series, Oxford Monographs in International Law.[10]The hardback was first published byOxford University Presson 29 May 2008,[4][11]and subsequently in the United States by Oxford University Press, USA in July 2008.[12][13]In January 2009, the work was published online atOxford Scholarship Online.[14]On 10 September 2009, Oxford University Press released a paperback in the UK.[15]Oxford University Press, USA released a paperback on 9 November 2009.[16]

Content summary[edit]

APredatordrone;used in targeted killings

Nils Melzer presents an historical, legal and moral examination of targeted killing.[17]The author observes that after September 11, the Western world grew more supportive of targeted killing than ever before.[17]The book recounts in depth how state-sanctioned targeted killing is perceived in other countries.[17]He defines targeted killing as the premeditated selection of an individual person not yet in custody for elimination by force.[18]Melzer analyzes all areas of the topic.[3]

The book discusses related legal practices of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland and Germany. Israel was the first country to publicly acknowledge the practice—in November 2000. The author connects this policy initiative with Israel's ongoing conflict with Palestinian militants. Melzer argues that this policy was controversial—the issue came before theIsraeli Supreme Court,where the matter was not decided for almost five years. The court's judgment was issued on 14 December 2006, but neither forbade nor endorsed the practice. Melzer asserts that it left multiple important legal conundra unresolved. Its significance was that it dealt not with a single incident, but rather with the nature of the policy itself and set forth conditions for examining the legality of future episodes.[17]

Melzer claims that during theVietnam WartheCentral Intelligence Agencyused targeted killings as part of thePhoenix Program,attempting to eliminateVietcongsympathizers. Melzer cites a source who contends that some 40,000 individuals may have been killed under this program. The author sees the air raids onMuammar Gaddafiin the1986 bombing of Libyain response to theLockerbie bombingas another instance. He argues that after September 11, 2001, the policy became more acceptable in the U.S. to adopt targeted killings as a tactic.[17]

According to Melzer, after the September 11 attacks, U.S. strategists began to support targeted killings and accepted advice from Israel on how to use such tactics to deal withsuicide bombers.Melzer describes an abrupt change where military members were ordered to "shoot to kill", replacing prior orders to incapacitate. The author asserts that in at least one case in 2005, a person was killed because they were thought to be a terrorist holding a bomb. It was later revealed that this person suffered frommental illnessand may have had a medical history ofbipolar disorder.The shooting was determined to be justifiable under the law and criminal charges were not filed.[17]

Melzer discusses the shift in perceptions towards acceptance by United Kingdom law enforcement after September 11. The Metropolitan Police officially endorsed a "shoot to kill" strategy directly after the attack. Melzer finds this policy shift incongruous, due to the fact that targeted killing had never before been acceptable as police strategy. Prior to the attack, targeted killing was a criminal offense.[17]

Reception[edit]

Targeted Killing in International Lawwas a joint-winner of the 2009 Paul Guggenheim Prize in International Law given by theGeneva Graduate Institute.[4][19]In the chapter "Targeted Killing in U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy and Law" authored byKenneth Andersonas a contributor to the bookLegislating the War on Terror: An Agenda for Reform,he characterizes Melzer's book as an admirable opus on the subject.[3]Anderson describes the book in more depth in a footnote, calling it a complete and thorough academic reference book.[3]He goes on to criticize the perspective of the book for describing and then rejecting objections by the United States to arguments addressed in the work.[3]Anderson writes that the book is both one scholars must have to educate themselves on the subject, while simultaneously lamenting its advocacy for U.S. legal positions.[3]Anderson observes the author covers all facets of targeted killing in the book.[3]

In a review of the book for the journalInternational Criminal Justice Review,Robert M. Worley ofPenn State Altoonacomments favorably on the comprehensive nature of Melzer's research and his descriptions of the differences of the practice of targeted killing in varying countries.[17]Worley comments on the relevance of the book to scholars in various fields, including history, law, law enforcement, and terrorism analysis.[17]Worley concludes his review by recommending the book for those with a fascination in researching criminal justice or the law.[17]William Abresch comments favorably onTargeted Killing in International Law,in a review for theEuropean Journal of International Law.[20]He writes that the book is an important addition to the field of scholarship regarding how international law governs the practice of targeted killing.[20]Abresch calls the author's writing style logical, and praises the book's organizational structure including its separate sections on use of targeted in war contrasted with use by police.[20]

A review of the book in theLeiden Journal of International Lawby Tamás Hoffmann recommends the work to multiple potential readers, including those who engage in targeting killing, academics, and students.[21]Hoffmann calls it a well-researched monograph and helpful reference work on the subject.[21]The review places the book within the context of addressing legal issues inherent in debating the murky concept of targeted killing.[21]Hoffmann states the book furthers prior attempts to come to a resolution on the question of the practice's legality.[21]Helen Durhan praises the writing quality of Melzer's work, in a review for theAustralian Year Book of International Law.[22]Durhan writes the work is organized in an easily readable format and covers the topic with neutrality.[22]She goes on to call the book a work representing the need for concerned discussion prior to implementing any policy involved in eliminating people.[22]Of the author's focus throughout the work, Durhan observes that the author handles discussion of the legality of targeted killing in a clear and precise manner.[22]The review concludes Melzer's thorough analysis goes a long way towards furthering scholars' impressions of legal issues surrounding when it is permitted for sovereign governments to kill people.[22]

Writing in a review for theAmerican Journal of International Law,Michael N. Schmitt observes that the arguments put forth in the book by Melzer are indeed accurate.[23]Schmitt writes that Melzer correctly argues that in the police model sequential events within the legal system lead toprecedentfor engaging in targeted killing.[23]Schmitt describes the book as an excellent overview of many aspects of law regarding targeted killing.[23]Schmitt concludes, "Targeted Killing in International Lawis not just a major contribution to the legal literature, it has justifiably emerged as the premier work on the subject. "[23]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcd"Dr Nils Melzer",Speakers' Biographies,ACO – Allied Command Operations, NATO / OTAN, 2010,archivedfrom the original on 21 July 2011,retrieved5 April2014
  2. ^abcdIntroduction, Dr. Nils Melzer, Legal Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross, 'Targeted Killing in International Law',The Graduate Institute,16 October 2008,archivedfrom the original on 10 November 2012,retrieved5 April2014
  3. ^abcdefgAnderson, Kenneth(2009), "Targeted Killing in U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy and Law", in Wittes, Benjamin (ed.),Legislating the War on Terror: An Agenda for Reform,Brookings Institution Press,pp. 360, 366, 394–395,ISBN978-0-8157-0310-5
  4. ^abcOxford University Press(2010),"OUP: Melzer: Targeted Killing in International Law",OUP Catalogue,Oxford Monographs in International Law, ukcatalogue.oup,ISBN978-0-19-953316-9,archivedfrom the original on 28 August 2010,retrieved5 April2014
  5. ^Melzer, Nils (2006), "Targeted Killing or Less Harmful Means? – Israel's High Court Judgment on Targeted Killing and the Restrictive Function of Military Necessity",Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law,9:87–113,doi:10.1017/S1389135906000870
  6. ^Melzer, Nils (2007),Targeted Killing Under the International Normative Paradigms of Law Enforcement and Hostilities,Zurich: Schulthess Juristische Medien AG
  7. ^Römer, Jan (2010),Killing in a Gray Area between Humanitarian Law and Human Rights,Springer, p. 172,ISBN978-3-642-04661-2
  8. ^Parks, W. Hays (Spring 2010), "Forum: Direct Participation in Hostilities: Perspectives on the ICRC Interpretive Guidance: Part IX of the ICRC 'Direct Participation in Hostilities' Study: No Mandate, No Expertise and Legally Incorrect",New York University Journal of International Law and Politics,42,New York University:769
  9. ^Melzer, Nils (Spring 2010), "Forum: Direct Participation in Hostilities: Perspectives on the ICRC Interpretive Guidance: Keeping the Balance Between Military Necessity and Humanity: A Response to Four Critiques of the ICRC's Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities",New York University Journal of International Law and Politics,42,New York University:831
  10. ^"Oxford Monographs in International Law",OUP USA Home,Oxford University Press, 2010, archived fromthe originalon 17 October 2012,retrieved10 April2016
  11. ^Melzer, Nils (29 May 2008),Targeted Killing in International Law,Oxford University Press,ISBN978-0-19-953316-9
  12. ^Oxford University Press, USA(2010),"OUP: Melzer: Targeted Killing in International Law",OUP USA Home,oup, archived fromthe originalon 29 June 2011,retrieved10 April2016
  13. ^Melzer, Nils (July 2008),Targeted Killing in International Law,Oxford University Press, USA,ISBN978-0-19-953316-9
  14. ^Melzer, Nils (January 2009),"Targeted Killing in International Law",Oxford Scholarship Online,1,oxfordscholarship,doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199533169.001.0001,ISBN9780199533169,archived fromthe originalon 18 January 2012,retrieved10 April2016
  15. ^Melzer, Nils (10 September 2009),Targeted Killing in International Law,Oxford University Press,ISBN978-0-19-957790-3
  16. ^Melzer, Nils (9 November 2009),Targeted Killing in International Law,Oxford University Press, USA,ISBN978-0-19-957790-3
  17. ^abcdefghijWorley, Robert M. (Penn State Altoona) (June 2010), "Targeted Killing in International Law",International Criminal Justice Review,20(2), United States: 211–212,doi:10.1177/1057567709356316,ISSN1057-5677,S2CID143462341
  18. ^Solis, Gary D. (2010),The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War,Cambridge University Press,pp. 538–539,ISBN978-0-521-87088-7
  19. ^Oxford University Press, USA(2010),"Winner of the 2009 Paul Guggenheim Prize (Geneva Graduate Institute)",OUP USA Home,oup, archived fromthe originalon 29 June 2011,retrieved10 April2016
  20. ^abcAbresch, William (2009),"Targeted Killing in International Law",European Journal of International Law,20(2), Great Britain: 449–453,doi:10.1093/ejil/chp012,ISSN0938-5428,archived fromthe originalon 28 May 2012,retrieved10 April2016
  21. ^abcdHoffmann, Tamás (December 2009), "Targeted Killing in International Law",Leiden Journal of International Law,22(4), Great Britain: 867–873,doi:10.1017/s0922156509990276,ISSN0922-1565,S2CID145512666
  22. ^abcdeDurhan, Helen (2008), "Targeted Killing in International Law",Australian Year Book of International Law,27,Australia: 276–277,ISSN0084-7658
  23. ^abcdSchmitt, Michael N. (October 2009), "Targeted Killing in International Law",American Journal of International Law,103(4), United States: 813–818,doi:10.1017/S0002930000160087,ISSN0002-9300,S2CID141219869

Further reading[edit]

  • Finkelstein, Claire;Jens David Ohlin;Andrew Altman (30 April 2012),Targeted Killings: Law and Morality in an Asymmetrical World,Oxford University Press,ISBN978-0199646470
  • Gurmendi, Alonso; "Raising Questions on Targeted Killings as First Strikes in IACs",Opinio Juris(09/01/2020)
  • Melzer, Nils (2006), "Targeted Killing or Less Harmful Means? – Israel's High Court Judgment on Targeted Killing and the Restrictive Function of Military Necessity",Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law,9:87–113,doi:10.1017/S1389135906000870
  • Melzer, Nils (2007),Targeted Killing Under the International Normative Paradigms of Law Enforcement and Hostilities,Zurich: Schulthess Juristische Medien AG
  • Melzer, Nils (Spring 2010), "Forum: Direct Participation in Hostilities: Perspectives on the ICRC Interpretive Guidance: Keeping the Balance Between Military Necessity and Humanity: A Response to Four Critiques of the ICRC's Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities",New York University Journal of International Law and Politics,42,New York University:831

External links[edit]

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