The Australian government says it has stripped some former military commanders of their medals over alleged war crimes committed by their troops in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday that the step was in response to a 2020 report on what he called “serious misconduct” by Australian service members deployed in Afghanistan.
The report said 25 special forces personnel were allegedly involved in the unlawful killing of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2005 and 2016.
The report made 143 recommendations, including compensation for bereaved families, and the Australian government has acted to implement them.
The exact number of officers who have been stripped of their medals has not been disclosed. Local media say the number is fewer than 10.
Investigations of the troops are still underway.
Marles said, “This will always be a matter of national shame.”
He stressed that at the same time, the report and the actions of successive governments are “a demonstration to the Australian people and to the world, that Australia is a country which holds itself accountable.”