Australia’s Defence Minister has cancelled the awards of a small number of senior military officers over alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The decision follows the 2020 Brereton Report which found evidence of the unlawful killing of 39 prisoners and civilians by Australian Defence Force personnel. Defence Minister Richard Marles stated that the decision was in line with the report’s recommendations, particularly those related to “command accountability”. While Marles did not disclose the names of the officers affected, reports suggest that fewer than 10 personnel are involved.
The Office of the Special Investigator is also investigating possible prosecutions of ADF personnel, a process expected to take years to complete. Marles acknowledged the actions of a few as a source of national shame, but praised the professionalism, honour, and integrity of the majority of the 26,000 Australians who served in Afghanistan. Major General Paul Brereton’s inquiry did not implicate military top brass in the alleged war crimes but highlighted the responsibility of troop, squadron, and task group commanders.
In a separate development, former Special Air Service Regiment soldier Oliver Schulz was charged with murdering an Afghan man in 2012, marking the first war crime-related murder charge against a serving or former ADF member. The decisions taken by the Defence Minister underscore Australia’s commitment to accountability and justice in the face of serious allegations of misconduct by its military personnel.
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