Afghanistan War crimes: Australia recognizes medals of merit

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles has stripped a number of high-ranking military officers of their decorations in the wake of a report on war crimes in Afghanistan.

Under the officers' command, soldiers are alleged to have unlawfully killed people as part of the international military operation in the Hindu Kush. This emerged from a report published in 2020 ("Brereton Report"), which investigated the conduct of an Australian special forces unit in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016.

The government announced that both active and former members of the armed forces would be stripped of their service medals. The exact number remained open, but it was less than ten officers.

Former Commander-in-Chief Angus Campbell, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his service, was not among the military personnel affected, it said. When the report was published, Campbell had spoken of a "shameful record" of a "self-centered warrior culture". Campbell apologized to the Afghan people "for any misconduct by Australian soldiers".

What does the report say?

The report made serious allegations against 25 members of the SAS special forces. They are said to have "unlawfully" killed at least 39 prisoners or civilians. The report found "toxic competitive thinking" within the unit.

This had led to some soldiers abbreviating procedures and ignoring rules. None of the killings had occurred in the heat of battle. "This will always remain a national disgrace," said Marles in parliament.

Last year, a former soldier was arrested for the first time for war crimes during his service in the Hindu Kush. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment.

Australia was involved in the international military mission in Afghanistan for many years. Following the withdrawal of foreign troops, the Islamist Taliban have been back in power there since summer 2020.