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According to an investigative report, Australian soldiers have committed war crimes while serving in Afghanistan. 25 members of a special unit had “illegally” killed at least 39 prisoners or civilians, Australian Defense Forces Chief Angus Campbell said in Canberra on Thursday when he published a report on the behavior of Australian soldiers in the Afghanistan war. A “shameful balance” of a “self-centered warrior culture” was revealed. The results indicated “the most serious violations” of military behavior and professional values. Campbell apologized to the Afghan people “for any crime committed by the Australian soldiers.”
For the report, the Australian Army Inspector General followed up on indications of unlawful killings and violations of international martial law between 2005 and 2016. More than 400 witnesses were heard and investigations were launched in 57 cases.
The soldiers ignored the rules
The report describes a culture of “toxic competitive thinking” within the task force that has led some soldiers to shorten procedures, ignore and bend the rules, Campbell said. None of these “unlawful killings” occurred “in the heat of the moment.” “All the people who were spoken to during this investigation understood the international law of war and the rules of engagement under which they were deployed.” This gives “credible information” to support the claim that Australian soldiers killed “illegally”.
Campbell said some of the 25 suspected soldiers were still serving in the military. The younger soldiers were forced to shoot a prisoner to carry out the first murder as a soldier. Evidence was also found showing that the soldiers tried to cover up the crimes. They have placed weapons, radios and grenades next to the bodies of Afghan civilians to make them look like “enemies killed in battle”.
Fixed criminal investigation
It was recommended that 36 cases involving 19 people be referred to the Australian Federal Police for criminal investigation. Furthermore, the victims and their families must be compensated. Campbell said he will “work with the Afghan government as soon as possible” to develop a compensation plan.
Afghanistan’s independent human rights commission welcomed the initiative to address alleged war crimes. The commission will provide further evidence of possible violations of international law within the scope of its possibilities, it said in a statement released Thursday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last week that a special investigator would investigate alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan and bring those responsible to justice. He had prepared his countrymen for revelations that were difficult to deal with, not just for active soldiers and veterans.
Australia sent troops to Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. There are currently around 1,550 soldiers in the country.
