South Leicester Christian Partnership: September 2012

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Since June 2008, UK forces have carried out around 300 airstrikes in Afghanistan using armed unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly known as drones), controlled from thousands of miles away. Although there is some public information about US drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, there is almost no public information about drone strikes carried out by the UK in Afghanistan.

There are serious ethical, moral and legal questions about the growing use of armed drones which need to be properly debated. However, it is impossible to have such a debate while information is being kept secret. At the very least, it seems that public discussion is being controlled.

We call on the UK government to end the secrecy surrounding the use of British drones in Afghanistan and to release all necessary information for a proper public debate. This should include the reasons for individual drone strikes and the number of people killed.

Lift the Veil - End the secrecy surrounding the use of British drones

Many people are extremely troubled by the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly known as drones) to launch attacks at great distances. Traditionally, one of the key restraints on warfare has been the risk to your own forces and, if this restraint is taken away, unmanned systems may simply make war more likely. The way that unmanned drones have enabled a huge increase in targeted killing is also causing deep disquiet amongst legal experts and scholars.

However, perhaps the greatest concern relates to what is seen as one of the key capabilities of drones – their ability to loiter over an area for hours or even days. Evidence is beginning to emerge that the persistent presence of drone sitting over remote villages and towns, simply looking for ‘targets of opportunity’, leads to an increase in civilian casualties.

Despite growing public concern, the UK is to double the number of armed Reaper drones in operation by 2013 and is also pressing ahead with plans to develop new armed drones over the next decade, all without public debate or parliamentary scrutiny.

There are serious questions about the use of drones:

Does the geographic and psychological distance between the operator and target make attacks more likely?

Does using unmanned systems mean attacks will happen more often?

Does the supposed accuracy of drone sensors and cameras mean that commanders are more willing to undertake ‘riskier’ strikes (in terms of possible civilian casualties) than they would previously have undertaken?

All of these questions, and many more, need to be debated openly and honestly, requiring careful analysis and judgement based on evidence. Unfortunately, that evidence is being kept under wraps. While it may be necessary to keep some information secret, we do not believe it is appropriate or legitimate to refuse to disclose any and all information about the circumstances in which Reapers have been used over the past four years. There is, at the very least, a sense that public discussion is being stifled.

With the use of armed drones set to increase, we need a serious, public – and fully informed – debate on all these issues. Read more about drones, secrecy and the campaign of dronewarsuk

Ecumenical Reflections at Rearsby Convent, Sept 2012

I do not know the composition by denomination of the large group who met at Rearsby convent on 22/09/12. Suffice it that it didn’t seem to matter very much. This Anglican went with an R.C friend and I think that was the spirit of the day. The sun shone on the Convent, lighting up the beautiful grounds and indoors Fr. John Daley shed light in to some dark places.

He began with a tease which he did with such effect that for a moment I looked at the exit door! He suggested that whatever our background we would at the end of the day have become totally reconciled to the Roman Catholic views on some very important issues and that finally he would celebrate the Eucharist for all of us, oh and we would also each get a Rosary blessed by the Pope!...

Of course it was a huge spoof but also perhaps prepared us for a mental shake up and the need to keep alert to all the strands which were threaded through this day of prayer and study. He taught us with formidable theological knowledge. He explored some of the unhappy history of relationships between the R.C. church and other denominations and also dispelled some beliefs which have tormented Catholics over the years. These of course were very real and yet sound strange to Protestant ears. Fr. John used many illustrations from his home life before he became a priest and from his long ministry.

The last hour of music and reflection was a moving and peaceful end to the day. As ever we had a wonderful welcome from the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace. (No habits and a very great involvement in issues of peace justice and fairtrade which you would hope to find in all our churches.) In conclusion, there seemed to be agreement that it had been a good day that people would be happy to repeat especially to hear more from Fr. John.

Hilary Janes