Australia may prosecute soldiers over Afghanistan 'war crimes'

[Jean-s]

Australia says it will appoint a special investigator to consider prosecutions over alleged war crimes by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
In recent years, reports have emerged alleging unlawful killings of civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers.
A report into findings from a four-year military inquiry will be published next week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned it would bring "difficult and hard news for Australians".
"There is a significant number of incidents or issues to be investigated further and that investigation will be inherently complex," he said on Thursday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54912722

It appears the Australian people are being prepared for some ugly and shameful news about the conduct of Australian troops in Afghanistan for years. Why did it take so long, one wonders.

 

[Fledermaus]

Australia says it will appoint a special investigator to consider prosecutions over alleged war crimes by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
In recent years, reports have emerged alleging unlawful killings of civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers.
A report into findings from a four-year military inquiry will be published next week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned it would bring "difficult and hard news for Australians".
"There is a significant number of incidents or issues to be investigated further and that investigation will be inherently complex," he said on Thursday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54912722

It appears the Australian people are being prepared for some ugly and shameful news about the conduct of Australian troops in Afghanistan for years. Why did it take so long, one wonders.

From your link....


Since 2016, the ADF has held a closed-door inquiry into misconduct allegations linked to its elite soldier units serving in Afghanistan.
Last week it was revealed the inquiry had investigated 55 incidents between 2005 and 2016, and heard evidence from 336 witnesses.

Investigations can take time.....

 

[Tigerace117]

Australia says it will appoint a special investigator to consider prosecutions over alleged war crimes by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
In recent years, reports have emerged alleging unlawful killings of civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers.
A report into findings from a four-year military inquiry will be published next week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned it would bring "difficult and hard news for Australians".
"There is a significant number of incidents or issues to be investigated further and that investigation will be inherently complex," he said on Thursday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54912722

It appears the Australian people are being prepared for some ugly and shameful news about the conduct of Australian troops in Afghanistan for years. Why did it take so long, one wonders.

“Alleged” being the key word here.

 

[ThirdTerm]

Previously, Australia did everything to hush it up by raiding media headquarters. There were government investigations into Aussie journalists accused of receiving classified information to produce reports on alleged troop misconduct in Afghanistan. They were eventually cleared of charges but Aussie journalists were intimidated by the government, which raised concerns about media freedom.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) targeted Australian Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) reporter Dan Oakes and his producer Sam Clark when they executed search warrants on the ABC’s Sydney headquarters on June 5 last year.

A day earlier, police had raided the Canberra home of News Corp. journalist Annika Smethurst with warrants to search her house, computer and phone more than a year after she cited “top secret letters” in a newspaper report.

Oakes on Thursday became the last of the trio to be cleared of charges.

Australia police clear ABC reporter, drop probe into Afghan war crime story

Critics accuse authorities of using national security as an excuse for threatening journalists over media revelations that are embarrassing for the government.

www.trtworld.com

 

[Ringo Stalin]

In 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.

Australian 'war crimes': Elite troops killed Afghan civilians, report finds

A misconduct inquiry uncovers a "shameful record" of a "warrior culture" among some soldiers.

www.bbc.com

Why do the afghans need your apologies, you asshole, there is a smell of the Hague court and billions of compensation.
By the way, why didn't this Prime Minister do what Bush Sr. did after an american missile shot down an Iranian civilian plane, killing nearly 300 people? Bush said he would never apologize for the actions of the US military.

 

[Evilroddy]

Australia says it will appoint a special investigator to consider prosecutions over alleged war crimes by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
In recent years, reports have emerged alleging unlawful killings of civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers.
A report into findings from a four-year military inquiry will be published next week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned it would bring "difficult and hard news for Australians".
"There is a significant number of incidents or issues to be investigated further and that investigation will be inherently complex," he said on Thursday.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54912722

It appears the Australian people are being prepared for some ugly and shameful news about the conduct of Australian troops in Afghanistan for years. Why did it take so long, one wonders.

Jean-S:

From what I understand, these accusations are focused for the most part on the actions of Australian Special Forces operating in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012 inclusive. These were the elite soldiers of the Australian armed forces and that is especially troubling. The report cites a warrior culture of impunity at work in the special forces at the time. That is the kind of impunity which led to the disbanding of the Canadian Parachute Regiment after they tortured to death some prisoners in Africa. This Australian investigation, while heavily redacted, indicates that at least 39 Afghans were subjected to extrajudicial killings which did not occur during combat nor during apprehended combat. There are also indications that both weapons and communications gear were planted to make some of these killings seem legitimate. There are some 19 SF operatives in danger of being charged for the alleged crimes in this report.

I would hope the Canadian and US military leadership's would also subject themselves to a similar enquiry because with more than 70,000 Special Forces personnel, similar abuses might very well have occurred at a much larger scale in the Greater Middle East.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

 

[Serenity]

In 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.

Australian 'war crimes': Elite troops killed Afghan civilians, report finds

A misconduct inquiry uncovers a "shameful record" of a "warrior culture" among some soldiers.

www.bbc.com

Why do the afghans need your apologies, you asshole, there is a smell of the Hague court and billions of compensation.
By the way, why didn't this Prime Minister do what Bush Sr. did after an american missile shot down an Iranian civilian plane, killing nearly 300 people? Bush said he would never apologize for the actions of the US military.

The Prime Minister apologised because it's the right thing to do. He, along with other Australians are repulsed by these allegations. Beyond disgusting.

Killing of unarmed individuals, civilians, and non-combatants are war crimes. Those responsible for war crimes should be brought to justice.

 

[Ringo Stalin]

Those responsible for war crimes should be brought to justice.

Nuremberg would be good place for that

 

[Ringo Stalin]

After 15 years nobody went to jail. Apologies would be nice...
In a just world, those animals would've been executed for war crimes and their families pariahs, taking the mother's maiden names to avoid relation to those things

Junkyard Gives Up Secret Accounts of Massacre in Iraq (Published 2011)

Hundreds of pages of interviews with Marines, once closely guarded as secrets of war, were meant to be destroyed as the last American troops prepare to leave Iraq.

www.nytimes.com

 

[RetiredUSN]

Psychologists have proved time and again that If you put enough young people in highly stressful & lethal situations over a long enough period of time, these situations are bound to happen. ADF members sent back for 2-3 more tours in Afghanistan with with PTSD?

The senior officers and politicians get off "Scott Free" while the young men are left to carry the burden of shame because of the few.

I'm not saying bad things didn't happen and those that actually did the crimes, should pay up.

3 Australian Soldiers Open Up About Their Battle With PTSD | Men's Health Magazine Australia

How do we stop our bravest and finest from killing themselves?

www.menshealth.com.au

Australian special forces soldiers incensed at war crimes inquiry clearing commanders of blame

Anger at decision to strip meritorious conduct citation from entire Afghanistan task group as veterans say responsibility should go ‘right up to the top’

www.theguardian.com

Defence only started probing allegations of war crimes in 2015, two years after Australia special forces had withdrawn from Uruzgan, a province of Afghanistan. The first inquiries involved commanders commissioning a study that uncovered some of the allegations. The following year based on the results of the study, the then chief of army, GenAngus Campbell, requested the inspector general of the Australian defence force (IGADF) inquire into concerns about special operations that included “unsubstantiated stories” of illegal killings and inhumane and unlawful treatment of detainees over a lengthy period of time.

 

[Evilroddy]

Nuremberg would be good place for that

Ringo Stalin:

Canberra would be better.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

 

[Evilroddy]

Psychologists have proved time and again that If you put enough young people in highly stressful & lethal situations over a long enough period of time, these situations are bound to happen. ADF members sent back for 2-3 more tours in Afghanistan with with PTSD?

The senior officers and politicians get off "Scott Free" while the young men are left to carry the burden of shame because of the few.

I'm not saying bad things didn't happen and those that actually did the crimes, should pay up.

3 Australian Soldiers Open Up About Their Battle With PTSD | Men's Health Magazine Australia

How do we stop our bravest and finest from killing themselves?

www.menshealth.com.au

Australian special forces soldiers incensed at war crimes inquiry clearing commanders of blame

Anger at decision to strip meritorious conduct citation from entire Afghanistan task group as veterans say responsibility should go ‘right up to the top’

www.theguardian.com

Defence only started probing allegations of war crimes in 2015, two years after Australia special forces had withdrawn from Uruzgan, a province of Afghanistan. The first inquiries involved commanders commissioning a study that uncovered some of the allegations. The following year based on the results of the study, the then chief of army, GenAngus Campbell, requested the inspector general of the Australian defence force (IGADF) inquire into concerns about special operations that included “unsubstantiated stories” of illegal killings and inhumane and unlawful treatment of detainees over a lengthy period of time.

RetiredUSN:

End the secrecy and end the impunity for all military personnel of all ranks and hold civilian leaders responsible for what their agents do.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

 

[Tigerace117]

After 15 years nobody went to jail. Apologies would be nice...
In a just world, those animals would've been executed for war crimes and their families pariahs, taking the mother's maiden names to avoid relation to those things

Junkyard Gives Up Secret Accounts of Massacre in Iraq (Published 2011)

Hundreds of pages of interviews with Marines, once closely guarded as secrets of war, were meant to be destroyed as the last American troops prepare to leave Iraq.

www.nytimes.com

The irony of a Stalinist talking about people being executed for war crimes is rather amusing

 

[Ringo Stalin]

The irony of a Stalinist talking about people being executed for war crimes is rather amusing

I didn't understand the irony. Yes, in the USSR, criminals could be shot, including for military crimes. And lieutenant Kelly in the USSR would not have escaped with house arrest for his crime committed by his unit in Vietnam. In the USSR, the Hero of the Soviet Union was not immune from punishment for a crime, up to execution, if he deserved it. This is how great States are created, when every citizen is responsible for their actions up to high elites. This was comrade Stalin's Soviet Union. That's why the enemies of socialism hate him so much, that's why tons of dirt are poured on him. But the wind of history will sweep away all this dirt along with those who created it.

 

[Tigerace117]

I didn't understand the irony. Yes, in the USSR, criminals could be shot, including for military crimes. And lieutenant Kelly in the USSR would not have escaped with house arrest for his crime committed by his unit in Vietnam. In the USSR, the Hero of the Soviet Union was not immune from punishment for a crime, up to execution, if he deserved it. This is how great States are created, when every citizen is responsible for their actions up to high elites. This was comrade Stalin's Soviet Union. That's why the enemies of socialism hate him so much, that's why tons of dirt are poured on him. But the wind of history will sweep away all this dirt along with those who created it.

The Soviet military committed war crimes on a systematic basis under Stalin, to the point where it was practically standard practice. By the way, My Lai was practically tame compared to what the Soviet troops got up to in Afghanistan. The fact of the matter is that the elites under Stalin were not held accountable, as shown by the serial rapist Beria’s place of pride amongst Stalin‘s henchmen.

 

[Ringo Stalin]

The Soviet military committed war crimes on a systematic basis under Stalin, to the point where it was practically standard practice.

"This lying s**t doesn't deserve an answer

 

[Tigerace117]

"This lying s**t doesn't deserve an answer

You throwing a tantrum because I pointed out the facts about your hero doesn’t change the facts.

 

[can2man]

These soldiers should receive all the medical help they require to recover. That’s it.
War is Hell. Don’t like the consequences - don’t participate.

 

[Ringo Stalin]

You throwing a tantrum because I pointed out the facts about your hero doesn’t change the facts.

This is not a tantrum. You made a false, idiotic statement. To expose it, I need to spend too much time citing articles, figures, and evidence. It's not worth it. I won't play chess with a pigeon.

 

[Tigerace117]

This is not a tantrum. You made a false, idiotic statement. To expose it, I need to spend too much time citing articles, figures, and evidence. It's not worth it. I won't play chess with a pigeon.

What's idiotic is you, once again, throwing a tantrum because I exposed your heroes as the scum they were.

 

[Jean-s]

What's idiotic is you, once again, throwing a tantrum because I exposed your heroes as the scum they were.

Please quit your habit of derailing my threads. I started this topic about Australian Special Forces and their war crimes. It has nothing to do with Stalin. You are free to start another topic about Soviet history if you wish.

 

[Tigerace117]

Please quit your habit of derailing my threads. I started this topic about Australian Special Forces and their war crimes. It has nothing to do with Stalin. You are free to start another topic about Soviet history if you wish.

I already addressed the topic in my previous posts. Then I addressed the related posts of another poster(which, I notice, you did not cry about). In short.....your attempts at playing thread police are just as sad as ever.

 

[Evilroddy]

These soldiers should receive all the medical help they require to recover. That’s it.
War is Hell. Don’t like the consequences - don’t participate.

can2man:

I don't think the Afghans who were allegedly killed by the Australian soldiers and special forces operators had much choice about participating in their own extrajudicial killings. They reaped the consequences of decisions made by others in Kabul, Canberra and Washington DC.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

 

[Ringo Stalin]

War is Hell. Don’t like the consequences - don’t participate.

True. If you don't want to be raped, don't participate. Smart!

 

[can2man]

can2man:

I don't think the Afghans who were allegedly killed by the Australian soldiers and special forces operators had much choice about participating in their own extrajudicial killings. They reaped the consequences of decisions made by others in Kabul, Canberra and Washington DC.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

Perhaps, I am getting emotional.

These young men and women get sent into these insane situations. And, when it goes wrong (it always goes wrong), people in suits point fingers at the disposable soldiers.
Humans do not behave well when they get too stressed or exhausted. Add in a fallen comrade and you have a recipe for, well, this.
It keeps happening.