By Elishya Perera
CANBERRA, Australia (CWBN)_ Australian Defence Forces’ Gen. Angus John Campbell stated that there was credible information that Australian Special Forces unlawfully killed 39 Afghan civilians.
Following the long-awaited investigation into the conduct of Australian troops in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016, a report by Justice Paul Brenton found that the killings were carried out by 25 Special Forces personnel outside the “heat of the battle”.
During a press conference today (Nov 19), Campbell apologised to the people of Afghanistan for the alleged misconduct of the Australian troops. “It would have devastated the lives of Afghan families and communities, causing immeasurable pain and suffering,” he said.
According to Campbell, those allegedly killed were prisoners, farmers and civilians who were captured at the time they were killed, therefore were protected under international law.
The report says that the families of those killed should be compensated “without waiting for establishment of criminal liability” and that it would be “an important step in rehabilitating Australia’s international reputation, in particular with Afghanistan, and it is simply the right thing to do.”
He added that, the Australia will engage with the Afghan Government to develop a plan to compensate these families and that several members of the Australian military will be referred to a special investigator to determine if there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.
Meanwhile, prior to the report being released, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had reached out to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani over the phone and had assured that justice will be served for the alleged misconduct.
“In this telephone call, the Prime Minister of Australia expressed his deepest sorrow over the misconduct by some Australian troops in Afghanistan and assured the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan of the investigations and to ensuring justice,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Senator Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia had also extended her apologies in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
Edited By Chathushka Perera
