SYDNEY- Australian special forces have been accused of committing warcrimes in Afghanistan in a secret defence report leaked Friday thatdescribed a “complete lack of accountability” from top military brass.
The investigation, reported by Fairfax Media, quoted unnamed special forcesinsiders saying some Australian troops engaged in the “unsanctioned andillegal application of violence on operations” with “a disregard for humandignity”.
The report, which Fairfax said was compiled by defence departmentconsultant Samantha Crompvoets, concerned operations by Australian SpecialAir Service troops and other elite commandos deployed alongside US andallied forces in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
It described a dysfunctional military organisation rife with distrust ofsenior leaders and competition between different elite units.
“Even more concerning were allusions to behaviour and practises involvingabuse of drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, unsanctioned and illegalapplication of violence on operations… and the perception of a completelack of accountability at times,” the report is quoted as saying.
The Defence Force declined to answer specific questions about the leakedreport, but told Fairfax it was taking “all allegations about AustralianForces seriously” and would be making recommendations based on the findingsof the inquiry.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also declined to provide details as “there isan investigation underway”.
The opposition Labor party on Friday described the revelations as “deeplyconcerning” and said subject to national security concerns the reportshould be made public.
“Our soldiers, particularly our special forces, work in difficult andcomplex environments,” shadow minister for defence Richard Marles said in astatement.
“It’s important that we know, as a country, that they’re doing it in aprofessional and legal way.”
Government parliamentarian and former SAS member Andrew Hastie said theallegations “should be taken seriously”.
“We need a free media reporting on all issues that are relevant to thepublic interest,” he told ABC radio, declining to go into detail about theaccusations.