Australia has revoked military honours from senior defence commanders over alleged war crimes committed during their tenure in Afghanistan. On Thursday, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced in parliament that these commanders would lose their distinguished service medals, following recommendations from a landmark inquiry that identified an unchecked “warrior culture” within parts of the force.
The Brereton Report, released in 2020, found “credible evidence” that elite Australian soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the war in Afghanistan. “This will always be a matter of national shame,” Mr. Marles said, adding that the action taken demonstrates to both the Australian public and the world that “Australia is a country which holds itself accountable.”
Marles did not specify the number of officers affected, but local media reports suggest it is fewer than ten. He also emphasized that the vast majority of Australian defence personnel deployed to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021 provided “sacred service” and commended those who helped bring the alleged misconduct to light.
The decision does not impact individuals currently under investigation for war crimes, including Australia’s most decorated living soldier, Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. Roberts-Smith denies any wrongdoing; however, in a high-profile defamation case last year, a court found—on the balance of probabilities—that he had murdered four unarmed prisoners. Despite the civil trial being the first time a court assessed war crimes allegations against Australian forces, Roberts-Smith has not faced criminal charges related to these accusations.
