Defence minister cancels awards of small variety of officers over alleged warfare crimes dedicated on their watch.
Australia has moved to strip senior navy officers of their distinguished service medals over alleged warfare crimes dedicated on their watch in Afghanistan.
The announcement on Thursday comes after the 2020 Brereton Report discovered credible proof that Australian Defence Power (ADF) personnel in Afghanistan had been concerned within the illegal killing of 39 prisoners and civilians.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles advised parliament the choice was made in line with the report’s 143 suggestions, together with a quantity associated to “command accountability”.
“My selections on this matter are in step with the findings and suggestions of the Brereton Report. In accordance with obligations owed to people concerned, together with underneath the Privateness Act, I’m prohibited from disclosing the small print and outcomes,” Marles mentioned.
Whereas Marles didn’t title the officers who had been stripped of their awards or specify the variety of these affected, native media reported that the transfer associated to fewer than 10 personnel.
Marles additionally mentioned that the Workplace of the Particular Investigator was trying into the opportunity of prosecuting some ADF personnel however these inquiries would “take years to finish”.
Marles mentioned that whereas the alleged actions of about two dozen ADF personnel had been a supply of “nationwide disgrace”, greater than 26,000 Australians served within the warfare in Afghanistan.
“Bar the actions of some, they undertook their service with professionalism, honour and integrity. They need to be pleased with their contribution and we’re pleased with them,” he mentioned.
Main Common Paul Brereton’s four-year inquiry didn’t discover proof that navy high brass had information of alleged warfare crimes.
The previous decide, nonetheless, discovered that “troop, squadron and activity group commanders bear ethical command duty and accountability for what occurred underneath their command and management”.
In March final yr, former Particular Air Service Regiment soldier Oliver Schulz was charged with murdering an Afghan man in 2012, changing into the primary serving or former ADF member to be charged with a warfare crime-related homicide.
