US EditionTop German court rejects case over US drone strikes in Yemen assisted by base in Germany
GERMANY, JUL 15 – Germany's constitutional court ruled that Germany is not liable for drone strikes by the U.S. using Ramstein Air Base, dismissing claims from relatives of victims, court said.
- Germany’s highest constitutional court decided on Tuesday that permitting the US to operate drone strikes via Ramstein Air Base does not breach international legal obligations on Germany’s part.
- This ruling concluded a legal case brought by two Yemeni plaintiffs whose relatives died in a 2012 US drone strike controlled with data relayed through Ramstein base.
- The court acknowledged Germany’s general duty to protect human rights but found the case did not prove a serious risk of systematic international law violations involving the drone strike.
- The court concluded that, based on the established criteria, the plaintiffs' legal challenge lacked merit, while human rights organizations condemned the decision for its failure to produce tangible legal effects.
- The ruling implies Berlin can rely on its diplomatic assurances with Washington and may not be held responsible for US drone operations using its military base.
76 Articles
76 Articles
Is the Federal Government responsible if illegal operations in other countries are made possible on German soil, for example on the US basis Ramstein? The highest judges affirm the order for the protection of human and international law also abroad, but set high hurdles for intervention.
Two Yemeni citizens have failed with their constitutional complaint against judgments in favour of US attacks on the country. Karlsruhe judges issue a persil certificate.
Karlsruhe rejected the lawsuit against the U.S. drone program on Ramstein – and missed the opportunity to draw clear boundaries for German co-responsibility in global international law crimes. A fatal signal.
Watauga Democrat
German court rejects Yemenis' claim over US strikes
Germany's highest court on Tuesday threw out a case brought by two Yemenis seeking to sue Berlin over the role of the US Ramstein airbase in a 2012 drone attack, ending a years-long legal saga.
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