The "most significant" inquiry of our times

Afghanistan. Image credit: R9 Studios FL, Flickr - The report on the alleged war crimes by special operation members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Afghanistan is the most significant modern inquiry, an ANU international law expert says. The report, which was released today, relates to alleged breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan during the period 2005 to 2016. Professor Donald Rothwell said the report will have a big impact on the reputation of the ADF, especially the Special Operations Task Group, both nationally and internationally, that will take many years to address and repair. "Australia has a particular obligation under international law to prosecute Australians suspected of having committed war crimes," Professor Rothwell, from the ANU College of Law, said. The spotlight will now be placed upon Australia and how it responds to Major General Paul Brereton's report, he said. "There is a significant task ahead of the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator to conduct a comprehensive criminal investigation into the allegations of war crimes that have been raised." Professor Rothwell said this process will take time and will raise a number of legal and procedural challenges.