Compo urged for dead children

New Zealand has been urged to clean up its mess in Afghanistan and compensate the families of seven children killed by explosives left behind.

The deaths of the children, among 17 civilians injured or killed in incidents connected to firing ranges used by New Zealand troops in Afghanistan, were revealed by a Stuff Circuit investigation, Life + Limb, yesterday.

The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) has distanced itself from the deaths, and the defence minister has said the claims linking the ranges to victims ‘‘have not been confirmed’’.

This is despite a United Nations official saying the deaths could be reasonably attributed to unexploded ordnance which New Zealand failed to clear before leaving Afghanistan in April 2013.

Auckland University senior lecturer Dr Thomas Gregory, who studies civilian deaths in conflict, said it was disappointing the NZDF had tried to ‘‘fudge the issue’’ by casting doubt on where the

Five of the seven children killed in an explosion caused by a device left behind on a New Zealand firing range in Afghanistan.

unexploded

‘‘Data collected by the UN shows a clear spike in casualties caused by unexploded ordnance in areas that were immediately adjacent to these firing ranges and there is a strong possibility these deaths were caused by

ordnance

originated.

NZDF.’’ Gregory said Afghan children, particularly in rural areas, were vulnerable to unexploded shells left behind.

The UN had counted 138 civilians killed from unexploded ordnance near coalition forces facilities between 2009 and 2015, and 75 per cent of these victims

were children.

‘‘The fact the NZDF have done so little over the past six years suggests it is not taking its moral and legal responsibilities seriously and that it does not really value the lives of ordinary Afghans.’’ Gregory said

NZDF needed greater oversight,

Dr Thomas Gregory Auckland University as it appeared unwilling or incapable of dealing with possible civilian casualties, he said.

Green Party MP and defence spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman said it was ‘‘heartbreaking’’ to learn New Zealand had caused such devastation in an already suffering community.

Ghahraman said it appeared the NZDF was trying to take responsibility for what had happened.

‘‘They are committing resource to helping ensure the harm is minimised.’’

‘‘There is a strong possibility these deaths were caused by NZDF.’’