Australia strips military officers of medals over Afghan war crimes

By Anadolu staff

Australia on Thursday stripped its military officers of distinguished service medals over war crimes in Afghanistan, local media reported.

Announcing the decision in parliament, Defense Minister Richard Marles said he stripped a number of current and former defense officers of medals over alleged war crimes that happened under their command in Afghanistan, according to ABC News.

However, the defense minister didn't share further details about the number and names of officers.

He added that there is still a prospect of prosecution for personnel accused of war crimes, but the process would take many years.

According to local media, Marles sent letters to fewer than 15 commanders to inform them about the government decision.

"My decisions on this matter are consistent with the findings and recommendations of the Brereton Report," he said.

The announcement came after the government said that it finalized its response to the Brereton inquiry into allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

In a statement on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said the government has finalized its commitment to close out the recommendations of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry report.

In 2016, the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force commissioned Maj. Gen. Paul Brereton to undertake an inquiry into events in Afghanistan, following claims of serious misconduct by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan over the period 2005 to 2016.

"The Brereton Report, as it is known, concluded there was credible information of unlawful conduct during this period; including the identification of 23 incidents involving Australian Special Forces personnel. These incidents related to the alleged unlawful killing of 39 people by, or involving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members as well as the alleged mistreatment of two individuals," the Defense Ministry said.

"The Brereton Report made a broad range of findings and 143 recommendations. The Albanese Government has taken the final action emanating from that Report, resulting in the closure of 139 of these recommendations. The four remaining recommendations remain on hold, pending ongoing investigations by the Office of the Special Investigator," it added.

Australia had about 400 troops in Afghanistan as part of peacekeeping efforts with the US and other allies.

More than 39,000 Australian soldiers served in Afghanistan for 20 years. Australia withdrew from the country in 2021.

In July this year, the Australian government announced a compensation plan to pay those who were "killed or abused" by its special forces in Afghanistan.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid