GENEVA - The excessive and unlawful use of lethal force by United States of America security forces both extraterritorially, including on the high seas and in Venezuela, and domestically, in law enforcement operations especially related to immigration enforcement, is gravely concerning, a UN expert said today.
"Public statements by State officials signalling a "shoot-to-kill" posture risk lowering the threshold for the use of lethal force," said Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. "There are no exceptions to the absolute and universal prohibition of the arbitrary deprivation of life."
"International law does not allow States to kill on the basis of labels, perceptions of how someone appears, or allegations of wrongdoing," Tidball-Binz said. "Whether at sea, abroad, or at home, the use of lethal force must be strictly limited by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and precaution, and may be used only as a last resort to protect life."
Alarmed by lethal strikes against small vessels in international waters by the United States in the context of a so-called "war on narco-terrorism", which have unlawfully killed scores of people since September, Tidball-Binz said he was particularly troubled at indications that some of the vessels could have been intercepted but were destroyed, including with double-tap strikes killing survivors.
"Where there is no armed conflict and no basis in international law for the use of military force, States must rely on law enforcement measures consistent with international legal obligations, including human rights and maritime law requirements," the expert said. "The deliberate use of lethal force against persons who do not pose an imminent threat to life is unlawful and violates fundamental United States obligations under international law, and its own domestic laws."
Expressing deep concern about the scores of deaths caused by the large-scale United States military action in Venezuela in early January, Tidball-Binz recalled that UN experts have underscored that the unprovoked use of armed force on the sovereign territory of another State is a breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. It may also constitute the international crime of aggression attributable to individual political and military leaders involved.
"Deaths resulting from such an act of aggression are arbitrary by definition," the Special Rapporteur warned.
"Accountability for human rights violations cannot be pursued through unilateral military intervention in violation of the UN Charter," he said. "Respect for the right to life is inseparable from respect for international law, including the prohibition on the use of force."
He also expressed grave concern about the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis on 7 January 2026 during an operation involving federal immigration enforcement officers, stressing that any death involving law enforcement must be subject to a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation with those responsible held accountable. Tidball-Binz urged all relevant authorities to fully cooperate to ensure an effective inquiry.
"States must ensure a legal and operational framework on the use of force consistent with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,"he said.
"Where potentially unlawful deaths occur, investigations should comply with the Minnesota Protocol [LINK] and victims' families must have access to truth, justice and reparation," the expert said.
Tidball-Binz referred to his report to the General Assembly which addresses unlawful killings by law enforcement officials and sets out practical measures to prevent loss of life and overcome recurrent obstacles to accountability, including in high-risk operational contexts.
He called on the United States to urgently review relevant laws, policies, rules of engagement, operational directives and oversight mechanisms governing the use of lethal force domestically and extraterritorially; to clarify the legal bases and safeguards applicable to maritime and extraterritorial operations; and ensure credible, independent and transparent investigations into all allegations of unlawful killing.
"The right to life is non-derogable and non- negotiable," he said. "States must never normalise a 'shoot-to-kill' approach which erodes the strict and absolute limits international law places on the use of lethal force."
The Special Rapporteur is available to engage with the Government of the United States about these concerns.
