UN's rights chief questions 'legality' of US drone strikes in Pakistan

Washington, June 8 (ANI): UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has said that the US military drone attacks in Pakistan to kill militants raise serious legal questions.

Drone attacks have become a central part of US counter-terror operations, but Pillay pointed out that they were legally problematic.

"Drone attacks do raise serious questions about compliance with international law, in particular the principle of distinction and proportionality," the BBC quoted Pillay, as saying.

"Ensuring accountability for any failure to comply with international law is also difficult when drone attacks are conducted outside the military chain of command," she added.

Pillay also raised concerns that the strikes were being conducted 'beyond effective and transparent mechanisms of civilian or military control'.

According to the report, Pillay said that she had suggested to Pakistan to invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary or Arbitrary Executions to investigate some of the incidents.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta recently said that the US would "continue to defend ourselves".

US officials defended the policy after al-Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al-Libi was reportedly killed in a drone strike earlier this week. (ANI)