Interfaith Letter Expressing Grave Concerns on Drone Warfare Sent to President Obama and Congress

Twenty-nine faith leaders from Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions have sent an Interfaith Letter on Drone Warfare to President Barak Obama and the U.S. Congress. The signers say it is morally unacceptable that thousands of innocent people have been killed by US lethal drone strikes. The letter also raises concerns that targeted killings […]

Twenty-nine faith leaders from Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions have sent an Interfaith Letter on Drone Warfare to President Barak Obama and the U.S. Congress.

The signers say it is morally unacceptable that thousands of innocent people have been killed by US lethal drone strikes. The letter also raises concerns that targeted killings by drones lack transparency and accountability.  Finally the letter argues that drone strikes do not make Americans safer, but rather aid recruitment by extremist groups.

Elizabeth Beavers, Co-Convener of the Interfaith Working Group on Drone Warfare, noted that many human rights groups and journalists have tried to tally the casualties from drone strikes[1].  A recent study by the Open Society Foundation found that in nine case studies in Yemen, innocent civilians were documented to have been killed in all nine drone strikes[2].


In their letter, the interfaith leaders point to more effective methods of combating extremism through nonviolent-creative strategies, including sustainable humanitarian and development assistance, and programs that address the political, economic and social exclusion that fuel radicalization.

About Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare
The Interfaith Network on Drone Warfare is a project of the Princeton-based Peace Action Education Fund, and works in cooperation with the DC-based Interfaith Working Group on Drone Warfare.  The Interfaith Network was formed following an Interfaith Conference on Drone Warfare held January 23-25, 2015, attended by some 150 diverse faith leaders from across the country at Princeton Theological Seminary.  Details of the Interfaith Conference, including the statement adopted by the attendees, can be found at peacecoalition.org/dronesconference.

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Contact

Elizabeth R. Beavers, J.D.
Co-Convener, Interfaith Working Group on Drone Warfare
Legislative Associate, Militarism & Civil Liberties, Friends Committee on National Legislation
[email protected] | @ElizabethFCNL | (202) 465-7564

Nathan Hosler
Co-Convener, Interfaith Working Group on Drone Warfare
Director, Office of Public Witness, Church of the Brethren
337 N. Carolina Ave, SE
Washington DC 20003
717-333-1649
[email protected]

The Rev. Robert Moore
Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action & Peace Action Education Fund
Administrative & Educational Coordinator, Interfaith Drone Network
40 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-924-5022
[email protected]

[1] http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-the-us-rethink-its-drone-policy/the-tragic-truth-about-drones

[2] http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/death-drone

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