The Afghan Unlawful Killing inquiry is a 2023 British public inquiry into extrajudicial killings that took place in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, during War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).[1]

History

The UK Government's plan to hold the inquiry was initially announced by Defence Sec Ben Wallace in December 2022.[2] It follows a BBC Panorama investigation that reported that British special forces killed 54[3] Afghan detainees during their tours of Afghanistan.[4]

Charles Haddon-Cave in 2021

The inquiry was launched on March 22, 2023 and is chaired by judge Charles Haddon-Cave.[1]

Inquiry

The inquiry planned to focus on night-time raids, known as Deliberate Detention Operations, including the 2012 Shesh Aba raid. Terms of reference included investigating the alleged cover-ups of the fatal incidents.[5]

Law firm Leigh Day represents families of the bereaved,[1] Brian Altman represents the Ministry of Defence.[6]

Judge Hasson-Cave has the authority to compel witnesses to testify.[3]

The inquiry centres around the activities of British special forces. The Ministry of Defence initially made an application to prevent the British public from hearing criticisms of the special forces, but abandoned that ambition on July 3, 2023.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Hui, Sylvia (2023-03-22). "UK opens inquiry into unlawful killing claims in Afghanistan". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  2. ^ "UK launches probe into claims its troops killed Afghan civilians". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. ^ a b Holden, Michael (2023-03-22). "UK inquiry vows to get to bottom of Afghan extra-judicial killings' allegations". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  4. ^ Hui, Sylvia (2022-07-12). "Report: UK soldiers killed dozens of Afghan detainees". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on 2022-09-29. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  5. ^ O'Grady, Hannah; Gunter, Joel (2023-03-22). "Afghan unlawful killings inquiry 'critical to restoring reputation of armed forces'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  6. ^ a b "Special Forces at centre of Afghanistan war crimes inquiry, MoD confirms". BBC News. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-07.