Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1197486
OPINION 27 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JANUARY 2020 today, that the strike would act as a deterrent. In the aftermath of 9/11, tar- geting terrorists and suspected terrorists became a staple of US counter-terrorism policy. The number of drone strikes increased markedly during Barack Obama's first term in particular. In his second term, however, Obama made an admittedly late and somewhat unconvinc- ing effort to better align US counter-terrorism policy to in- ternational legal standards for the use of force in self-defence. This effort relied in part on the argument that the terrorists targeted posed an imminent threat to the US. In this effort, however, the Obama adminis- tration adopted a very relaxed standard of imminence. The legal justification has set international precedents that other states (like Turkey and Pakistan) have been more than happy to follow. The drone strike that killed Soleimani, however, goes even beyond recent US policy and seems to make explicit a view that had remained some- what implicit in the Reagan years. US practice had largely established that the ban on assassination did not apply to non-state terrorist actors who posed an imminent threat. Soleimani was in charge of the undeclared proxy war between the US and Iran. This, how- ever, was not a declared war, something that would make Soleimani a legitimate target (as in the General Yamamoto case during the second world war). While a military figure, he was clearly a foreign official and, thus, his assassination seems to fall within the remit of the ban, or at a minimum to explicitly challenge the prohibition. Trump's policy The justification published by the Department of Defence of- fers a detailed account of past actions by Soleimani, stating: "He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months – including the attack on December 27th – culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad." But there is no detailed evidence of why he posed an imminent threat. This might appear to be a minor point, but it's central to the legal justification for the air strike. It all suggests that he was not killed because he posed an imminent threat, but more as a retaliation for recent events and for the deterrence of pos- sible future attacks. Indeed, Agnes Callamard, UN special rapporteur on extra-judicial executions, has already suggested that the US may have acted illegally in this case. The Trump administration has, so far, refused to ex- plain and justify its policy of targeted killing, but this latest operation further undermines international and US domestic norms against assassination is certain to set more dangerous international precedents for targeted killings. CAREER OPPORTUNITY CORRECTIONAL OFFICER CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AGENCY Applicants must be: - citizens of Malta of conduct which is appropriate to the position applied for - able to communicate (both orally and in writing) in the Maltese and English languages - have attained their 18 th birthday but not their 40 th birthday by the closing date of this call for applications; - not less than the minimum height required, i.e. 1.57m for males and 1.52m for females and of acceptable body weight in proportion to height; and - In possession of two (2) 'O' level Passes (not below Grade 5 or C) or a comparable qualification at MQF level 3 in Maltese & English; OR - In possession of a School Leaving Certificate at MQF level 1, having successfully completed Form V and have any work experience preferably in Carpentry, Blacksmith, Electrical & Plumbing, Mechanical & Masons and Tailoring. Preference will be given to applicants in possession of Passes at SEC Grade 7 or above and/or respective trades licenses. Preference will also be given to those in possession of a security guard license; OR - Has served in a disciplined force (that is, a Naval, Military or Air Force, Police Force, Prison Service, Civil Protection or Detention Service) for not less than 24 (twenty four) months and be in possession of a Certificate for Meritorious Service from the Head of the respective Disciplinary Force Applications are to be submitted via email on recruitment.ccf@gov.mt or submitted personally by hand to the attention of the HR Office, Correctional Services Agency, Corradino Correctional Facility, Valletta Road, Paola. Applications are to include a curriculum vitae, copies of the relevant academic certificates, Passport Photo and a Certificate of Police Conduct. The closing date of the receipt of applications is noon (CET) of Friday 24 th January 2020. JobsPlus Permit No. 643/2019