RASC: Australian Defense Minister Richard Marel says the country’s government is exploring options for paying compensation to victims of war crimes in Afghanistan.
The Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday, June 4, that Marel made these statements following the trial of an Australian soldier accused of committing war crimes in Afghanistan.
The Minister of Defense of Australia, in a letter to the International Justice Center of that country, has emphasized his personal commitment to act in this case.
However, Fiona Nelson, director of legal advocacy at the Australian Center for International Justice, added that the issue of reparations was a glaring weakness in the government’s overall response to the inquiry.
“It’s been more than two and a half years since those recommendations were made, but we still have no sign of progress on this issue,” Ms. Nelson said.
Criticizing the negligence of the previous Australian government in this matter, he said: “Human rights standards are clear that victims of violations of international humanitarian law have the right to prompt and effective reparation.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Court of Australia held Robert Smith, the soldier accused of war crimes in Afghanistan, responsible on Thursday last week.
