By Phil Mercer VOA News September 12, 2024 Australia has stripped military honors from senior defense commanders over alleged war crimes committed under their watch during the long conflict in Afghanistan. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles on Thursday told the Federal Parliament senior military officers who served in Afghanistan would lose their distinguished service medals. The
Ariana: A group of UN experts on Wednesday called on Australia to immediately fulfil its commitment to compensate the families of 39 murdered victims of war crimes committed by the Australian military in Afghanistan. In 2020, a military inquiry found that Australian soldiers killed 39 unarmed prisoners in Afghanistan, when deployed in the NATO-led mission.
Ariana: 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
ESPN: Cricket Australia (CA) has reiterated that Australia will not play bilateral cricket with Afghanistan because of the Taliban government’s stance regarding the rights of women. CA chief executive Nick Hockley said that there has been “regular dialogue” with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on the matter, and hoped that the sides resume playing each
Khaama: The Guardian reported that David McBride, a former Australian army lawyer, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for leaking “classified documents” related to the Afghan war. On Tuesday, May 13, The Guardian announced the conviction of the former lawyer, stating that he shared the classified documents with journalists after
Ariana: Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan will reconsider participating in the 2025 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), after Cricket Australia (CA) indefinitely postponed their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which was scheduled for August at a neutral venue. CA later clarified that they made the call after consultations with the Australian government because of
Tolo News: Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan expressed his disappointment following the cancellation and postponement of matches with Afghanistan by the Australian Cricket Board. He said that cricket is a “source of happiness” and should not be involved in government matters. Rashid Khan said: “As a player you can’t do much about it,” he said. “It’s
AFP: Australia on Tuesday scrapped a T20 men’s cricket series against Afghanistan later this year, saying the situation for women in the Taliban-ruled country was deteriorating. Cricket Australia said it had received advice “that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse” and so had postponed the three-match series scheduled in August at
Ariana: David McBride, a former army lawyer who revealed information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, has pleaded guilty to leaking classified information. David McBride was due to face trial next week, but changed his plea after a legal ruling scuppered his defence, BBC reported. McBride said he felt a moral duty to speak
Al Jazeera: David McBride, a former army lawyer who revealed information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, could be facing a “life sentence” if found guilty in a trial that starts on Monday. While Australia has established an independent special investigator into alleged war crimes committed by Australian troops in Afghanistan, supporters of McBride