ICC for probe of US troops’ abuses in Afghanistan
The Hague ( Netherlands), Nov. 21: The Internati- onal Criminal Court prosecutor asked for authorisation to investigate reported human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including allegations of rape and torture by US military and the CIA, crimes against humanity by the Taliban and war crimes by Afghan security forces.
The request marks first time that Prosecutor Bensouda Americans war crimes.
Bensouda said an investigation under the auspices of the international tribunal could break through what she called “near total impunity” in Afghanistan.
The prosecutor’s formal application to judges at the court also sets up a possible showdown Washington.
The United States is not a member state of the court, but its citizens can be charged with crimes committed in countries that are members.
The US state department said in a statement that it was reviewing Bensouda’s authorisation request, but opposes the International Criminal Court’s involvement in Afghanistan.
“Our view is clear: an ICC investigation with respect to U. S personnel would be wholly unwarranted and unjustified,” the State Department said.
“More broadly, our overall assessment is that commencement of an ICC investigation will not serve the interests of either peace or justice in Afghanistan.”