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ICC to Investigate War Crimes in Afghanistan
Citing “several knowledgeable sources,” the magazine claims that the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda will launch an investigation in the coming weeks, likely after the U.S. presidential election but before the end of the year.
The report continues that a US delegation have made a recent trip to The Hague, which hosts the ICC, to find out more about the possible scope of the probe.
“Many civilians were affected during the last fifteen years and all criminals including oppositions should be brought to justice ,” said Khalid Pashtun a member of Afghan Parliament representing the southern Kandahar province.
According to the report, earlier the prosecutor’s office has repeatedly called attention to alleged abuses of detainees by U.S. personnel between 2003 and 2005 and the attack by U.S. forces on MSF hospital in Kunduz that it believes have not been adequately addressed by the United States.
“It is a good investigation, but its important that where the case would be trailed, because Afghan government forces cannot be tried elsewhere” said Rangina Kargar a member of Afghan Parliament representing northern Faryab province.
The report indicates that ICC will likely devote most of its energy to prosecute abuses by anti-government forces in Afghanistan, including the Taliban. It further says the office will scrutinize immunity to fighters who laid down their arms in an effort to broker cease-fires with opposition forces and abuses by the Afghan government, including torture and mistreatment of thousands of detainees by Afghan forces.
According to the United Nations reports more than 20,000 civilans have died in Afghanistan during the last seven years, the majority at the hands of insurgent forces.
Reported By: Fahim Noori