Airplane and drone attacks killing civilians, says UN envoy
Radhika Coomaraswamy
Airplanes and unmanned drone attacks must avoid killing civilians, particularly women and children, a senior United Nations official has warned.
Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict is urging all international forces to redouble their efforts to ensure that such casualties do not take place.
She says she still receives reports of casualties involving women and children even though she has been consistently reassured that these procedures exist to minimize civilian casualties in air operations.
Meanwhile, Ms. Coomaraswamy is calling on the Syrian authorities to stop the bloodshed that has marked this year's violence against civilian protesters.
She says there are credible allegations of children being killed, tortured and wounded in the crackdown.
In 1996, the UN created the office of the Special Representative to serve as a moral voice and independent advocate for their protection.
