Karlsruhe decides: Drone war and Germany's responsibility!

Karlsruhe decides: Drone war and Germany's responsibility!

A groundbreaking process is being negotiated in Karlsruhe that concerns Germany's responsibility with regard to US drone operations. Two Yemeni plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit based on tragic circumstances because they are related to civilians killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2012. They demand that the German government take measures to ensure the protection of the civilian population and compliance with international law. The US air force base Ramstein, which is considered the central control station for numerous drone operations, has become the focus of the discussion krone.at is reported.

The legal dispute over Ramstein

The plaintiffs argue that by using Ramstein, where a satellite relay station is installed to control drones, Germany is also responsible for the legal consequences of the operations. Defense State Secretary Thomas Hitschler, however, warns that such a lawsuit could endanger Germany's ability to act in foreign policy. He emphasizes that the US armed forces are obliged to respect the applicable laws and that the operations will not be launched from German soil, which calls into question Germany's legal responsibility badische-zeitung.de noted.

The Federal Constitutional Court is now faced with the challenge of clarifying the complex legal questions: Does Germany also have a duty to protect the lives of civilians abroad who do not have German citizenship? A verdict is expected in the coming months, and the decision could have far-reaching consequences for Germany's military and diplomatic relations with the United States. In previous rulings, the court came to different conclusions as to Germany's substantive obligations under international law in such situations.