Human Rights Watch Accuses U.S. of War Crimes in Afghanistan 25 Years On

Human Rights Watch has stated that the United States and its allies have yet to answer for war crimes in Afghanistan, even after 25 years. The organization criticizes the disregard shown towards victims and the failure to address their legitimate demands for justice.

Human Rights Watch: U.S. Has Not Responded to War Crimes in Afghanistan

In a recent report released to mark the 25th anniversary of the onset of war in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch declared that the United States and its coalition partners have made no efforts to ensure justice or restore dignity to victims of war crimes. The human rights organization emphasized that American forces engaged in widespread abuses during their presence in Afghanistan.

The report outlines improper actions including torture, beatings, waterboarding, and extrajudicial killings. It also highlights cases of prolonged detention of civilians without any formal charges, many of whom were illegally released after months in custody.

Criticism of U.S. Indifference Towards War Victims

Patricia Gassman, senior director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, criticized the indifference of various U.S. administrations to the humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, noting that victims of torture and families of the deceased still lack access to justice and compensation.

The report also refers to the pardoning of military personnel accused of killing civilians by former President Donald Trump, considering it a clear example of judicial impunity for wrongdoers.

International Complaints and Lack of Accountability for Crimes

Human Rights Watch further criticized the inaction of other coalition member countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, regarding their investigations into war crimes. Approximately six years after Australian military crimes were exposed, only two individuals have been imprisoned, and no cases have gone to trial.

In the UK, despite evidence of unlawful killings, previous governments have been accused of covering up the facts, and the scope of independent investigations has been limited to incidents occurring between 2010 and 2013.

Afghan Governments and Rebel Groups

The human rights organization emphasized that human rights violations are not confined to foreign forces; the security forces of Afghanistan’s previous government and special units supported by the U.S. also participated in actions including torture and murder of civilians.

The Taliban and ISIS have also been identified in the report as responsible for a significant portion of civilian casualties, leaving many victims in their wake due to suicide attacks and targeted assassinations in the homeland.

Criticism of Double Standards in International Criminal Court

Human Rights Watch also raised concerns regarding the double standards of the International Criminal Court, noting that despite opposition and sanctions against its officials by Trump, the investigations into crimes attributed to U.S. forces and the former government have been suspended, with inquiries focusing solely on the Taliban and ISIS.