Dozens of unlawful killings by Australians
CANBERRA: A major report into alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan has found credible evidence of dozens of unlawful killings and cruel treatment.
The damning findings are outlined in a major report into alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan made public yesterday.
The inquiry uncovered scores of instances of unlawful killings and inhumane treatment of detainees. Since 2016, the Inspectorgeneral of the Australian Defence Force has examined allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.
Over four years, Justice Paul Brereton interviewed more than 400 witnesses and examined tens of thousands of documents. Australian defence chief Angus Campbell has now released the report. Justice Brereton found there was credible evidence of 23 incidents in which a total of 39 Afghan nationals were unlawfully killed. He identified another two instances where prisoners were treated cruelly by elite Australian troops.
A few of the Afghan nationals killed were not participating in hostilities, while the majority were prisoners of war.
Justice Brereton identified 25 current or former ADF personnel accused of perpetrating one or more war crimes. The report covered the period from 2005 to 2016, but almost all of the incidents uncovered occurred between 2009 and 2013.
‘‘None of these are incidents of disputable decisions made under pressure in the heat of battle,’’ the report said.
‘‘The cases in which it has been found that there is credible information of a war crime are ones in which it was or should have been plain that the person killed was a noncombatant.’’
Dozens more allegations investigated could not be substantiated. Justice Brereton also found there was credible evidence some soldiers carried ‘‘throw downs’’ such as weapons and military equipment to make it appear the person killed was a legitimate target.
As well, there was evidence junior soldiers were required by their patrol commanders to shoot a prisoner in a practice known as ‘‘blooding’’ to achieve their first kill.
The inquiry has recommended the chief of defence refer 36 matters to the Australian Federal Police for criminal investigation. The matters relate to 23 incidents and involve 19 individuals.
Justice Brereton placed the greatest blame on patrol commanders, believing they were most responsible for inciting or directing subordinates to commit war crimes.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has previously announced a special investigator would pursue possible criminal prosecutions.
The report recommended administrative action against some personnel where there was credible evidence of misconduct, but not enough for a criminal conviction.
It recommended Australia compensate families of Afghan people unlawfully killed.
As well, the inquiry recommended various service medals be stripped away from recipients.
‘‘It has to be said that what this report discloses is disgraceful and a profound betrayal of the Australian Defence Force’s professional standards and expectations,’’ the report said.
‘‘We embarked on this inquiry with the hope that we would be able to report that the rumours of war crimes were without substance.
‘‘None of us desired the outcome to which we have come. We are all diminished by it.’’