US: Probe into war crimes in Afghanistan unwarranted. At least 88 people tortured

An International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation of possible war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan is not "warranted or appropriate", the US state department said after prosecutors in The Hague found initial grounds for such a probe.


A US Department of State spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said on Tuesday that the US was not a party to the Rome Statute that created the ICC and had not consented to its jurisdiction.

She also said Washington had a robust justice system able to deal with such complaints.

"The United States is deeply committed to complying with the law of war," Trudeau told reporters at a news briefing.

"We do not believe that an ICC examination or investigation with respect to actions of US personnel in relation to the situation in Afghanistan is warranted or appropriate."

Her comments come a day after ICC prosecutors said in a report that there was "reasonable basis to believe" US forces had tortured at least 61 prisoners in Afghanistan and another 27 at CIA detention facilities elsewhere in 2003 and 2004.

The prosecutors' office, headed by Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, said it would decide imminently whether to pursue a full investigation. The results could lead to charges being brought against individuals and the issuing of arrest warrants.
 [aljazeera.com]
16/11/16
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