ICC Prosecutor Requests Investigation Into
U.S. Military, CIA for Alleged War Crimes in
Afghanistan
Fatou Bensouda asked judges to authorize an
investigation of reported human rights
abuses in Afghanistan, including allegations
of rape and torture by the U.S. military and
CIA.
By Mike Corder
The Associated Press
November 21, 2017 "Information
Clearing House"
- NETHERLANDS -The prosecutor of the
International Criminal Court asked judges
Monday to authorize an investigation of
reported human rights abuses in Afghanistan,
including allegations of rape and torture by
the U.S. military and CIA, crimes against
humanity by the Taliban and war crimes by
Afghan security forces.
The announcement marked the first time ICC
Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has gone after
Americans for alleged war crimes and sets up
a possible showdown with Washington. The
United States is not a member state of the
court, but its nationals can be charged with
crimes committed in countries that are
members.
The U.S. State Department said in a
statement that it was reviewing Bensouda’s
authorization request, but opposes the
International Criminal Court’s involvement
in Afghanistan.
“Our view is clear: an ICC investigation
with respect to U.S personnel would be
wholly unwarranted and unjustified,” the
State Department said.
“More broadly, our overall assessment is
that commencement of an ICC investigation
will not serve the interests of either peace
or justice in Afghanistan.”
As well as alleged crimes by American troops
in Afghanistan, Bensouda wants to
investigate the activities of CIA operatives
in secret detention facilities in
Afghanistan and other countries that are
court members.
|
Never Miss Another Story |
Bensouda said in a summary of her request
that “information available provides a
reasonable basis to believe” that U.S.
military personnel and CIA operatives
“committed acts of torture, cruel treatment,
outrages upon personal dignity, rape and
sexual violence against conflict-related
detainees in Afghanistan and other
locations, principally in the 2003-2004
period.”
She added that the Taliban and its allies
are suspected of crimes against humanity and
war crimes “as part of a widespread and
systematic campaign of intimidation,
targeted killings and abductions of
civilians” perceived as supporting the
government or opposing the Taliban rebels.
Afghan security forces are, in turn,
suspected of involvement in “systematic
patterns of torture and cruel treatment of
conflict-related detainees in Afghan
detention facilities, including acts of
sexual violence,” Bensouda said.
This article was originally published by The Star -
====
Note regarding comments
You spoke and we listened. It is no longer necessary for ICH readers to register before placing a comment. This website encourages readers to use the "Report" link found at the base of each comment. When a predetermined number of ICH readers click on the "Report" link, the comment will be automatically sent to "moderation". This would appear to be the most logical way to allow open comments, where you the reader/supporter, can determine what is acceptable speech. Please don't use the report feature simply because you disagree with the author point of view. Treat others with respect, remembering that "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."- Benjamin Franklin. Please read our Comment Policy before posting -
|
|
