That Australian special forces unlawfully killed 39 people in Afghanistan is shocking news for Australians & Afghans. The Brereton report must be followed by prompt, independent criminal investigations leading to prosecutions. New from @hrw https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/19/australia-follow-afghan-report-prosecutions

The Morrison government needs to ensure the Special Investigator’s Office has the resources to act quickly to ensure justice. It must have independence from military & political interference. As time drags on, the prospect of justice for Afghan victims becomes more & more remote.

Canberra needs to learn lessons from the UK’s failed efforts to prosecute soldiers implicated in war crimes & ensure that no government minister has the power to interfere, direct or prevent investigations & prosecutions. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/05/uk-war-crime-revelations-afghanistan-expose-justice-failings

For many Afghan survivors & others harmed by these abuses, consequences have been devastating. Families who happened to live in areas with Taliban presence lost their kids, their family’s breadwinner, their homes. Those who sought justice for crimes were turned away or threatened

The Australian soldiers who came forward to speak out about these incidents challenged a culture of secrecy and silence that has surrounded the ADF for many years. The accounts they provided to the inquiry & media were the first step towards accountability.

David McBride is a brave whistleblower who drew attention to these hideous abuses. His whistleblowing has been vindicated by this report & his continued prosecution is a chilling warning to others who may wish to come forward. https://www.theage.com.au/national/if-moral-courage-matters-this-whistleblower-needs-defending-20201116-p56ey4.html