In this report, the Special Rapporteur addresses the issue of "shoot-to-kill" policies and their risk to the right to life. While he acknowledges that States have to exercise due diligence to protect the lives of their citizens from attacks by criminals, including terrorists, armed robbers, looters and drug dealers, this does not justify the unlawful use of lethal force by the State agents. He recommends that the State’s legal framework must strictly control and limit the circumstances in which law enforcement officers may resort to lethal force.
Citation: Philip Alston, 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions' (2006) E/CN.4/2006/53