Biden government to monitor civilian damage from U.S. weapons abroad
Many non-state actors, around the world, have been found to be in possession of U.S. weapons and it remains puzzle, how these arms reach to such groups
WASHINGTON – The Biden Administration has initiated a program to monitor and investigate the killing of civilians by various groups around the world using U.S. weapons.
The move has been greeted with caution by human rights activists and some Democrats in Congress.
Nicole Widdersheim of Human Rights Watch pointed to the U.S. responsibility to understand the impact of its arms sales.
“The United States clearly has a vested interest in knowing what harm its weapons sales and security assistance cause to civilians,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) deputy Washington director Nicole Widdersheim told media outlets.
“Let’s see if the Biden administration puts political will behind this good idea.”
Annie Shiel of the Center for Civilians in Conflict called this a significant development but stressed that the real impact depends on implementation.
The U.S. State Department, in collaboration with several other agencies, announced the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance (CHIRG) program.
However, it remains unclear whether investigations conducted under this initiative will be publicly disclosed.
This new program mirrors a Department of Defense project from last year that focused on harm caused directly by U.S. forces.
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez expressed approval, noting the program’s consistency with certain legislative efforts.
He advocated passage of legislation to ensure continuity of such initiatives.
Senator Elizabeth Warren emphasized that she and other Senators remain committed to the U.S. role in civilian casualties, particularly in Yemen.
Experts and former officials, while recognizing the importance of the program, called for a legislative mandate for effective oversight.
Many non-state actors, including terrorist groups around the world, have been found to be in possession of U.S. weapons. It remains a puzzle, how these arms reach to such groups.
Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who is now a Crisis Group senior adviser, wrote on social media that the program is “a notable step” in monitoring civilian deaths and injuries.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
