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Australia announces compensation plan for Afghan war crime victims
The Australian Defense Department has unveiled a compensation plan for families of victims who were unlawfully killed or abused by Australian special forces in Afghanistan, Australian media reported Sunday.
Over the past 20 years, more than 39,000 Australian soldiers served in Afghanistan. As part of peacekeeping efforts alongside the United States and other allies, 400 Australian soldiers were deployed until their withdrawal in 2021.
During that time, an investigation revealed that Australian soldiers committed war crimes, including the murder and abuse of numerous Afghan civilians. Incidents included shooting prisoners, planting weapons, radios, and grenades next to bodies to suggest they were legitimate
targets.
The investigation highlighted systemic issues, such as inadequate mentorship and a “warrior culture” focused on status and power rather than exemplary soldiering.
The 2020 Brereton Report, led by Major General Paul Brereton, implicated 25 Australian soldiers in the murders of 39 Afghans and recommended criminal investigations.
Before pursuing legal action, the Australian Defense Force Inspector General recommended compensating the victims’ families. A defense department spokesperson confirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the report’s findings “to the fullest possible extent,”
including compensation.
The Australian government is expected to make further announcements in the coming months.
Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate Hamdullah Fitrat, however, says that this action is not enough and that Australia’s crimes in Afghanistan are far more.
“Australian government has confessed to its crimes and announced the compensation, but this is a small issue and it [paying compensation] cannot cover all their crimes in Afghanistan,” said Fitrat.
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Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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