Our Work

Accountability for Australian War Crimes in Afghanistan

Advancing victims’ rights to truth, justice & accountability 

Ahlone ports, Yangon Myanmar

© ISAF/John Collins

In November 2020, after a four-year administrative inquiry into allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan, the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, led by Justice Brereton, released the report of the inquiry. The release of the report marked a significant milestone in Australia’s ability to confront the credible allegations of crimes and forge a process for individual and collective accountability.

The Australian Centre for International Justice was established anticipating that the domestic investigations and prosecutions of the allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan will be a pivotal moment in shaping Australia’s approach to an international crimes policy. Our strategic advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration with others, has provided focus on victims’ rights and has had significant impact.

We have been coordinating efforts with human rights groups in Australia and around the world, but particularly in Afghanistan, to bring the critical perspectives, leadership and depth of experience Afghan human rights organisations and advocates have to offer. These efforts included a coordinated media campaign, including a joint call for action, bringing together Afghan, Australian and international human rights organisations. We have brought attention to Afghan human rights organisations to provide expert advice. Our media assistance ensured Afghan voices were reflected in domestic and international media.

The Afghanistan Inquiry Report, years in the making, is a welcome first step. But the real work starts now. Victims’ families have never given up their demands for truth, justice and accountability. It’s imperative for us to work to ensure their rights are respected, and enforced.

The Australian Centre for International Justice is building a strategy that implements our mission and stays true to our values in advocating for victims and victims’ rights. We are working with our partners in Afghanistan to find ways on how best to advocate for Afghan victims and to ensure what will follow is a full and comprehensive accountability process. There is much work ahead.

Ahlone ports, Yangon Myanmar

© ISAF/John Collins

 

We are grateful for OAK Foundation’s support for and funding of our Afghanistan program.

Latest on Afghanistan

Report: Assessing Australia’s response to the Afghanistan Inquiry

Report: Assessing Australia’s response to the Afghanistan Inquiry

  29 November 2022 Two years after the release of the Afghanistan Inquiry’s Report on war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan, the Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) has assessed Australia’s response to the report’s findings and...

Media Release: Senate Afghanistan inquiry fails to address war crimes

Media Release: Senate Afghanistan inquiry fails to address war crimes

6 April 2022 Australia's Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References this week released the final report of its inquiry into Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan. The inquiry was tasked with examining Australia's twenty-year military, diplomatic...

The Australian Centre for International Justice fights to hold accountable those responsible for the most serious international crimes. It continues to be an enormous challenge.

We work with survivors of torture, sexual violence, genocide and war to research and develop strategies to fight for justice.

We are Australia’s first specialist legal centre providing strategic advice and representation to people seeking justice and accountability.

We take action against the impunity of those responsible for committing atrocity crimes. We all benefit by supporting communities in Australia and around the world access justice.

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