Government Inquiries - Afghanistan

Government sources

Release of the Inquiry Officer's Report into the Death of Signaller Sean McCarthy, Media Release, Department of Defence, 9 October 2008

Media Conference by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Announcement Re: The Findings in to the Death of an Australian Soldier in Afghanistan and Claims of Mistreatment of Detainees, Lieutenant General David Hurley, Department of Defence, 29 August 2008

Australian Forces Under Fire In Southern Afghanistan – Update, Media Release, Department Of Defence, MSPA 307/08, 19 September 2008

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan authorities who will launch a joint ISAF / Afghan Government investigation into the incident that occurred on 18 September. The ADF will also conduct a full investigation. Initial ADF reporting indicates that the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) patrol was moving on foot towards a subsequent activity when they were fired on from a number of locations by unknown attackers. The SOTG patrol returned fire in self-defence.  Initial assessment indicates that the SOTG personnel acted in accordance with their Rules of Engagement and that their actions were appropriate and proportionate in what was a complex and lethal environment.  The ADF can confirm that Chora District Governor and tribal leader, Rozi Khan, was among those killed.  It is not possible at this time to determine that he was killed by ADF fire. A number of groups, including Afghan National Police personnel, were in the vicinity of the incident.  No ADF personnel were wounded, however initial reporting indicates that a number of local nationals were killed or wounded in the exchange of fire. 

Inquiry Officer's Report Into the Detention of Local Nationals on 29-30 April 2008 in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, Department of Defence, released August 2008 [1.08 MB, PDF]

Inquiry Officer's Report into Collatoral Damage and Allegations of Mistreatment of a Local National in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan on 23 November 2007, Department of Defence

Inquiry Findings into 2007 Incidents In Afghanistan, Media Release, Department of Defence, 12 May 2008

"Defence today released the findings of inquiries into the combat deaths of three Australian soldiers last year, and a separate but related investigation into civilian deaths and allegations of mistreatment of a detainee.

The three combat death inquiries established the facts surrounding the deaths of Trooper David Pearce on 8 October 2007, Sergeant Matthew Locke on 25 October 2007, and Private Luke Worsley on 23 November 2007. The fourth inquiry investigated civilian casualties and an allegation of detainee mistreatment by Australian troops during the 23 November incident in which Private Worsley was killed."

IO Report into the Death of PTE LJ Worsley In AFG on 23 Nov 07, Department of Defence, 12 May 2008  [341 KB, PDF]

IO Report into Collateral Damage and Allegations of Mistreatment, Department of Defence, 12 May 2008 [2.40 MB, PDF]

IO Report into the Death of Locke, Department of Defence, 12 May 2008 [563 KB, PDF]

Analysis and Commentary

Inquiries into Abuse Claims by Taliban, Brendan Nicholson and Jonathan Pearlman, SMH, 10 May 2008

Three separate investigations are under way into allegations that Australian troops maltreated Afghan civilians who were captured during a raid on a bomb-making operation just north of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt on April 30, 2008. Air Chief Marshal, Angus Houston, said an initial inquiry carried out in the country by the ADF indicated there was no truth in the allegations. However, two teams have gone to Afghanistan to investigate further.