Controversial Events in the News
Topic 15
THE DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN
Outline of the event
On Sunday 1 May 2011 two US helicopters with special forces from the
Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL) on board attacked a
high-security residential compound in Abbottabad (about 30 miles from
Islamabad) in Pakistan. The assault was authorized personally by US
President Barack Obama, without the knowledge or agreement of the
Pakistan Government.
What happened during the assault and the events surrounding it have
changed as details have emerged from different sources. As a result the
American version of events has come under close scrutiny and many have
begun to question the morality and legality of the action. The main details
of the event, as they are currently understood are:
1. Osama Bin Laden (the leader of al-Qaida) was killed after being shot in
the head. His body was taken away by the US forces and buried at sea.
Osama Bin Laden was unarmed and shot in a bedroom.
2. Osama Bin Laden’s wife was shot in the leg when she ran at the US
special forces trying to protect her husband.
3. Bin Laden’s 12 year old daughter witnessed her father being shot. She
was also injured and is now in hospital in Pakistan. Statements by a
Pakistani intelligence official say that she has said that her father was
held before being shot.
4. Four other people were killed in the attack – a woman (said to have
been caught in cross-fire); a son of Bin Laden (whose body was also
taken away and later buried at sea) and two brothers (one of whom has
been described as the courier who was being monitored and led the
US security of services to the compound.)
5. At least 10 people survived the attack – 2 women (one of whom is Bin
Laden’s wife) and 8 children, including his 12 year old daughter and
two young sons.
6. When President Obama announced the death of Osama Bin Laden
there was scenes of celebration in American cities accompanied with
statements of “justice being done” and a “great victory for freedom and
justice everywhere”.
The events raise a number of important questions for discussion and
debate. An important initial activity would be to define the questions to be
discussed. Students could also be asked identify analogous situations from
their own experience. Further activities could explore each question in
more detail using various active learning strategies to identify different
sides of the argument.
Themes
Main subject links
Human Rights
Citizenship
Reparative Justice
PHSE
International Law
RE
Suggested active learning tools
Suggested activities
(See RoHo Materials)

Community of Enquiry
Socratic Questioning
Present the facts to the group. Ask
them to identify key questions.

Canvas the opinion of students on
De Bono Thinking Hats
whether the killing is justified. Ask
Stick Debate
them to give at least one reason
Zone of Relevance
to justify their views.

Organise a debate on either
whether the justice of the killing or
the rights of the USA to enter
another country without
agreement.

Hold a trial of OBL with different
members of the group playing
different roles (e.g. judge, jury,
prosecution, defence, witnesses.)
Related topics
Age and key stage suitability
Drone strikes to kill “identified”
All ages
terrorists.
Israeli attacks on Hamas leaders in
Gaza.
Related stimulus materials
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/03/osama-bin-laden-10-mythscia-arsenal?intcmp=239
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/05/bin-laden-uncomfortablefeeling-rowan-williams?intcmp=239
http://today.yougov.co.uk/politics/shoot-to-kill-right-say-Brits
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/05/osama-bin-laden-not-armed
Contextual Narrative relevance
Signal event potential
To be assessed locally. E.g. Is the
Very likely to be incorporated into
name-calling of “Bin Laden”
extremist narratives, particularly given
continuing of Muslim children? Is
the questions surrounding the
Bin Laden becoming a martyr?
circumstances and legality of the
assault and killing of OBL.