‘War on Narco-Terrorism’ Fuels Unlawful Killings, Third Committee Hears, as Experts Warn of Mass Displacement, Attacks on Justice

'War on Narco-Terrorism' Fuels Unlawful Killings, Third Committee Hears, as Experts Warn of Mass Displacement, Attacks on Justice

A new "war on narco-terrorism" is fuelling unlawful killings and other grave human rights violations, United Nations experts warned the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as they sounded the alarm over mass displacement, the separation of migrant children from their families and mounting attacks on judicial independence.

'Serial Extrajudicial Killings' Amount to Crimes against Humanity

"In the past year, the United States has unlawfully killed at least 239 people in 71 military attacks on civilian vessels at sea", declared Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

"These serial extrajudicial killings gravely violate the right to life and are a systematic attack on civilians amounting to crimes against humanity", he said, calling for perpetrators to be held accountable.

Warning against conflating terrorism with organized crime, he reported that at least 15 countries, mostly in the Americas, have recently designated 39 criminal groups as terrorist organizations, expanding the use of exceptional security measures.

While organized crime is primarily profit-driven, terrorism involves political or ideological violence, he explained. A new "war on narco-terrorism" has led to grave human rights violations, including unlawful killings, torture and enforced disappearances. Conflating criminal and terrorist groups could also trigger travel bans, asset freezes and refoulement, he added.

He also criticized military aggression in Venezuela and Ecuador's authorization of a "shoot to kill" approach against criminal groups designated as terrorist.

"This new war on 'narco-terrorism' is not effective in reducing drugs or violence, and can make both worse", he warned, noting that decades of militarized responses to drug cartels have failed to curb trafficking. Rather than pursuing "kinetic suppression of drugs", States should invest in poverty reduction, public services, development and evidence-based prevention, he urged.

Turning to wider conflicts, he recalled earlier warnings against illegal wars justified by counter-terrorism. "Venezuela was invaded. Aggression against Iran has killed innocents and destabilized the Middle East, and energy shocks have impoverished the vulnerable worldwide", he said. He also warned that peace in Gaza remains elusive without self-determination and justice.

Reconstruction Must Break Cycles of Displacement, Not Deepen Them

"Imagine returning home, only to find that home no longer exists", said Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.

"For millions of internally displaced persons affected by mass devastation, this is not imagination. It is the reality awaiting them, if they can return at all", she said, reporting that more than 82 million people are internally displaced worldwide by conflict, violence and disasters - the second-highest number ever recorded.

Reconstruction needs exceed $71 billion in Gaza, $11 billion in Lebanon, $216 billion in Syria and $588 billion in Ukraine, she reported. "The decisions taken in the first months of reconstruction will determine whether people can rebuild their lives in dignity or face new cycles of exclusion and displacement", she warned.

Poorly designed rebuilding efforts can reward those who profit from destruction, trigger forced evictions and deepen land disputes. Yet, reconstruction also offers "a rare opportunity to confront the causes of displacement and break cycles of exclusion".

Those who have lost everything need not only housing, but also recognition and justice, she emphasized, noting: "Reconstruction must reckon with what cannot be rebuilt with bricks and mortar: the missing whose fate is unknown, the process of mourning, the places of memory, the social bonds that held communities together."

Delegates Clash over Gaza Reconstruction, Displacement

During the ensuing interactive dialogue, Malaysia's representative condemned the repeated displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, accusing Israel of obstructing reconstruction by restricting building materials and equipment.

"Calling our security measures an obstruction is a moral failure", Israel's delegate responded, pointing to Hamas' use of human shields. She also urged recognition of tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by attacks from Hamas, Hizbullah and Iran.

Iran's representative rejected allegations that his country targets civilians, accusing Israel of "systematic targeting of Palestinian civilians and civilian objects" and of attacking civilian areas in his country.

Yemen's delegate blamed Houthi militias for forcing millions from their homes, reporting that over 217,000 people had been internally displaced since September. Sudan's representative similarly highlighted "lengthy waves" of displacement caused by conflict and militia violence, including sexual violence.

Turning to reconstruction, Azerbaijan's delegate reported that over $16 billion had been allocated to rebuild conflict-affected towns, enabling over 100,000 people to return to newly constructed areas.

Syria's representative said Government policies had facilitated the return of approximately 2 million displaced people since the fall of the Assad regime, highlighting plans to close displacement camps through reconstruction.

'Fossil Fuel Companies Systematically Manufacture Doubts'

Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, warned that justice systems seeking to enforce climate commitments face intimidation, political interference and powerful economic opposition.

"Fossil fuel companies systematically manufacture doubts about climate science, target their critics and wage war on effective climate action", she declared.

Judges and prosecutors frequently lack adequate training in environmental law and climate science, while lawyers struggle to obtain evidence from companies refusing access to sites or environmental impact studies.

"Such restrictions undermine equality of arms and the right to a fair trial", she warned, potentially preventing communities from challenging destructive projects before irreversible damage occurs.

The most entrenched obstacle is "hostility from powerful political and economic forces", she said, warning that the climate crisis is unfolding alongside a global wave of "autocratization" and rising inequality.

'Immigration Detention of Children Is Never in Their Best Interests'

Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, warned that detention, deportation and restrictive border policies continue to tear migrant families apart. "Family unity saves lives and serves as an essential protective factor for children in situations of migration", he stressed.

"Immigration detention of children is never in their best interests", he underlined, warning of serious consequences for children's mental health and development.

Voicing further concern over "migration externalization", he stressed that transferring migrants to third countries increases their chances of separation and protection failures. "Outsourcing migration governance does not diminish States' obligations", he said.

Calling for stronger family reunification measures and regular migration pathways, he urged Governments to prohibit immigration detention of children and families. "Migration status must never determine whether a child can enjoy family life", he added.

Also briefing the Committee today were Prasad Kariyawasam, Chair of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.