Targeted Killings

Abstract

Though International Criminal Law evolves, its evolution needs a careful, considered and consensus among its members through either customs, treaty or other recognized source of international law. The emergence of targeted killings is not clear whether it is a legally accepted counter terrorism policy or a form of extra-judicial killing, thus leaving the jurists undecided; either to criminalize or embrace it as a defence in international criminal law. In a bid to protect national security, many governments have intensified the efforts to counter the terrorists’ threats and attacks. Resorting to employing target killings is one of such attempts of counterterrorism that has created a sharp divide between those who support and those who oppose targeted killings by contending that it is resplendent with numerous human rights abuses. This paper discusses the extent to which targeted killing has been applied in the contemporary society, the arguments for and against, as well as its legality and legitimacy under international law.