The Australian Center for International Justice (ACIJ) reported “credible evidence” of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan and recommended that the Australian government “consult with victims, their families, and communities on compensation and other effective forms of redress” and “develop a comprehensive reparation program.”
Australian human rights group ACIJ “found credible evidence of numerous war crimes by the Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan including 2 incidents of cruel treatment and the unlawful killing of 39 non-combatants or persons who were hors de combat, in most cases prisoners.”
In a video clip for TOLOnews, the acting executive director of ACIJ, Fiona Nelson, said: “Indeed investigations are now underway here in Australia but it is also recommended that the Australia government pay compensation to victims of these crimes.”
The Islamic Emirate said that in addition to Australia, many other foreign troops based in Afghanistan over the past two decades in Afghanistan have committed war crimes.
“The organizations operating under the banner of human rights that are active in world should not remain silent. Justice should be ensured for the victims, and the perpetrators should be punished,” said Suhail Shaheen, head of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Qatar.
A number of families who lost their relatives in Australian forces’ operations in Uruzgan demanded compensation from the Australian government.
“There were bombardments and brutal crimes in this country. I say something should be given in return for this injustice,” said Khudaidad, a resident of Uruzgan.
“We should be paid with compensation. We need food. He was my child and we lost him,” said Shir Mohammad, a resident of Uruzgan.
Earlier, a local court in the Netherlands ruled on Wednesday that Dutch forces unlawfully bombed a residential complex in Afghanistan in 2007 and ordered the state to pay financial compensation to the victims.
