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Letter to the Prime Minister relating to the Brereton Report and alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan
image: section of the Brereton report
Australia Yearly Meeting's Presiding Clerk has written this letter to the Australian Prime Minister of behalf of Australian Quakers seeking support for two initiatives relating to the alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
The letter reads:
We join all Australians in expressing deep concern at the findings of the Brereton Report, and we note especially the following points:
a) 39 Afghans were murdered by Australian special forces in 23 incidents,
(b) none of the alleged killings occurred in the heat of battle, and
c) complaints by Afghan human rights groups were ignored.
Given the significant involvement of Australia in Afghanistan over many years, we believe a thorough and strong response is warranted. The people of Afghanistan deserve nothing less after the suffering they have endured.