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Law and Politics
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Savryga K.P. Lawfulness of the targeted killings within international law: international humanitarian law and human rights

Abstract: This article examines one of the most controversial state practices currently used in the war against terrorism, namely the targeted killing. The author assesses the correspondence of this phenomenon with international humanitarian law and international law of human rights pertaining to targeted killings during military conflicts and law enforcement operations. In the first part of the research, the author reviews the law of military conflicts and analyzes the legal status of various parties and the general limitations with regards to use of force during a military conflict. In the second part of the research, in analyzing the limits of the protection of the right to life, the author underlines the requirements that should be met before taking a life. The author comes to the conclusion that the practice of targeted killing corresponds with the norms of international law, but at the same time this practice remains subject to limitations from a number of principles in international law on armed conflicts such as proportionality, military necessity, caution, as well as the regulation of the use of methods and means of warfare and international law on human rights, particularly the protection of the right to life and prohibition of intentional or willful taking of life. The author rejects the existence of any other grounds for legalization of targeted killings other than those expressed within the norms of international humanitarian law and law on human rights.

Keywords:

law of armed conflicts, right to life, targeted killing, international law, international humanitarian law, law on human rights, human rights, taking of life, war on terror, combatants

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