ICC, Launch Investigation into War Crimes in Afghanistan!

  • by: Susan V
  • recipient: International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

The International Criminal Court has been considering conducting an investigation on US war crimes in Afghanistan for years. But ICC’s prosecutor hasn’t yet decided to go forward.

The ICC, which was established to prosecute crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, is under a lot of pressure to avoid showing any bias, according to a report in the New York Times. When considering prosecuting the United States, that pressure creates some difficulty because the US is not a member of the court, while Afghanistan is. Also, notes the Times, a prosecution would likely face resistance from President-elect Trump, who has voiced his support for the use of torture to fight terrorism.

Nevertheless, according to the Times, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has found a “reasonable basis” to prosecute for war crimes committed in 2003-2004 “by U.S. military forces deployed to Afghanistan and in secret detention facilities operated by the Central Intelligence Agency.” The crimes include torture, rape and other outrages against dignity and were not isolated incidents.

The Times explains that ICC rules won’t allow prosecution unless individual nations have not held the perpetrators accountable. However, even though Bensouda says US officials ordered an end to the practices under scrutiny, the US has not court-marshaled soldiers accused of these war crimes or prosecuted anyone for two deaths that occurred during interrogations.

Human Rights first says Americans have a right to know what is being done in their name and the ICC should hold all those responsible for war crimes accountable. Sign this petition to urge the ICC to launch an investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan.

To Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda:


Now that we know that there is lasting psychological damage caused by the use of brutal interrogation tactics, such as waterboarding and sleep deprivation, there can be no doubt that perpetrators of the more blatantly cruel crimes your report describes should be held accountable for their crimes.


Because we also know that such “enhanced interrogation” tactics are ineffective, and that they have caused deaths in come cases, it’s important that Americans do not allow the new administration to revert back to implementing or condoning these barbaric and ineffective practices.


Because it’s important that the American people have a clear understanding of what it means to support policies that allow torture, it is necessary to bring all the war crimes committed by US agents in Afghanistan to light and accountability.


Therefore, I and those who support this petition urge the ICC to go forward with a full investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan.


Thanks for your time.




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