Defence minister 'physically ill' after reading Afghan war crimes report

Discussion in 'Australia, NZ, Pacific' started by Violet_Crumble, Nov 20, 2020.

  1. Violet_Crumble

    Violet_Crumble Well-Known Member

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    Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has told a Perth business forum she was "physically ill" when she read the Brereton report into alleged war crimes committed by Australian special forces soldiers in Afghanistan.

    In front of an audience that included Canning MP Andrew Hastie – a former SAS officer – and former defence ministers Stephen Smith and David Johnston, Senator Reynolds said the report revealed allegations of "absolute clear-cut murder and war crimes".

    https://www.smh.com.au/national/wes...afghan-war-crimes-report-20201120-p56ggn.html

    ======

    Sucks to be them when they're eventually brought to justice for what they've done. If they were US troops, Trumpelthinskin would have pardoned them and praised them for what they did...
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
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  2. Pork_Butt

    Pork_Butt Active Member

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    Any idea what he did to be pursued by the soldiers? I noticed it was an ABC report. And yes, our President Trump doesn't jump to conclusions about our military and law enforcement biased and hating main stream media. So go ahead and side with the Taliban only knowing the part of the story the media feeds you.
     
  3. Montegriffo

    Montegriffo Well-Known Member

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    Wanting to stay within the law is not siding with the Taliban.
    It doesn't matter what he did to be pursued, he was killed in cold blood while posing no threat. That is a war crime.
     
  4. Bowerbird

    Bowerbird Well-Known Member

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    I think this has hurt many Australians because this is not who we like to think we are. Our national concept of ourselves is more as helpers than attackers.

    in many ways this is going to stain our international standing and reputation but I applaud the openness and honesty that we have displayed in dealing with this
     
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  5. Bowerbird

    Bowerbird Well-Known Member

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    It is ABC AUSTRALIA - our equivalent of the BBC But the link was to the Sydney Morning Herald
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2020
  6. bigfella

    bigfella Well-Known Member

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    Had you informed yourself about this you would know that the report in question was done by the Australian Defence Force & the Ministry of Defence. They spent years investigating these allegations. These aren't just some wild claims being reported in the media, these are claims that have been thoroughly investigated by the people who sent those soldiers there in the first place.

    Some soldiers have already been discharged, others will soon be charged with various crimes by military tribunals. If you want to hide behind some ficticious 'media bias' narrative then that says a lot about you. These allegations are being taken VERY seriously by everyone from the Prime Minister on down. Any informed person would do wel lto take them seriously too.
     
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  7. RoccoR

    RoccoR Well-Known Member Donor

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    RE: Defence minister 'physically ill' after reading Afghan war crimes report
    SUBTOPIC: "Alleged" Criminal Activity 'vs' Inhumane Activity
    ⁜→ et al,

    BLUF: By International Law the claim and "allegations" set forth in the news article are confusing. Article 7 (Crimes Against Humanity) • vs • Article 8 (War Crimes) to the Rome Statutes of the International "Criminal" Court (ICC).

    Crimes Against Humanity covers "torture:"
    "Torture" means the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, upon a person in the custody or under the control of the accused; except that torture shall not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to, lawful sanctions;​

    War Crimes covers → in particular when committed as part of a plan or policy or as part of a large-scale commission of such crimes.
    Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, namely, any of the following acts against persons or property protected under the provisions of the relevant Geneva Convention:
    (i) Wilful killing;
    (ii) Torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments;
    (iii) Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health;​

    (COMMENT)

    The Sydney Morning Herald News Article (Nathan Hondros and Peter de Kruijff November 20, 2020) is not evidence; but rather an interpretation of a partially documented activity. It was written in the voice of a drama queen (opening with an emotional reaction) Defence Minister Linda Reynolds became "physically ill" after reading the report and the allegations. The credibility of the unbiased composition is placed in question when they open the article in the fallacious manner of an Appeal to Emotion (argumentum ad passiones).

    As an outside observer, I can plainly see the Australian government reaction to the "allegations" (prior to the investigative process) demonstrates that activities contrary to Articles 7 and 8 (ICC) are NOT as a result of any specific plan or policy of the Australian Government or Defense Force. And we know that there is NO SUCH Policy sanctioned by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Talk of "disbanding of the Special Air Service Regiment's second squadron" is just an overreaction (more drama). The Australian SAS has a chain of command that needs to be allowed to assess, investigate, and then make its recommendation up the chain. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds needs to allow the process to work → unencumbered by biased media, political pressure, or loose speculation.

    (EPILOG)

    Allegations have been made. We need to have faith in the Command process.

    Just One Man's Opinion -

    [​IMG]
    Most Respectfully,
    R
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2020

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