Osama Bin Laden

Osama Bin Laden's killing raised questions about human rights

On May 1st, 2011, the leader of extremist group al Queda Osama Bin Laden was shot and killed by a small group of Americans in an effort to stop the group.   Bin Laden had been heavily sought after by the American government after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 that he was said to be behind.  

Bin Laden was found hiding in a compound in Pakistan with several family members. 

There was celebration in the United States in response to the actions, as this was a big step for Americans to end terrorism. 

"Justice has been done." - Barack Obama 

But was justice done humanely?  Human rights group Amnesty International is skeptical.  The group asked for a more elaborate explanation for the event of Osama Bin Laden's death.  They inquired about the people in the compound, and where they are now.  

There were 18 people in the compound at the time, and there were five reported deaths, and two injuries 

(of women, one being a wife of Bin Laden's).  Apparently, the two injured women and six children were left in the compound after the deed had been done. 

There is also high speculation over the fact that Bin Laden was unarmed, and was not captured instead of killed. 

“Given that he was not armed, it is not clear how he resisted arrest and whether an attempt was made to capture him rather than kill him.  Amnesty International believes that US forces should have attempted to capture Osama bin Laden alive in order to bring him to trial if he was unarmed and posing no immediate threat.”  -Claudio Cordone 

In my opinion, the United States acted too quickly and violently.  Yes, Osama Bin Laden was responsible for many deaths in the United States and is a leader for many of his fellow anti-American extremists, but fighting violence and terrorism with essentially more violence is not an effective solution. The killing of Osama Bin Laden is likely to cause more problems and more violence.  The United States should have captured Bin Laden, and tried to question him and give him a fair trial, and avoid killing him.  The United States' celebration of justice is also likely to incite anger on Osama's followers.  

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states many times that  everyone has an equal right to be recognized as a person before the law.  As the United States is an active and powerful member of the United Nations, it should adhere to this declaration no matter who they are dealing with in order to promote equal human rights so that other countries will follow in its footsteps.