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The Australian Greens Party have announced intentions to set up a War Crimes Investigation Unit to fix Australia’s ‘war criminal safe haven’.
The proposed permanent body would investigate and prosecute war crimes, under an initiative involving a $10 million annual commitment, to lead international investigations, arrests and prosecutions – according to the party.
The office would be similar to the existing Office of the Special Investigator and match specialised bodies in UK, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland – according to the Australian Greens.
“Community members who have experienced torture or been subject to genocide and war crimes need to know they are safe here from those who committed these crimes. That’s what this War Crimes Investigation Unit will produce,” according to Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge.
“The community expects war crimes to be treated seriously but instead have seen delay and avoidance that has prevented accountability for war crimes, even those committed by Australian troops.
“While Labor flip-flopped about whether it would arrest Benjamin Netanyahu for his role in perpetrating a genocide, the Greens won’t. The Government isn’t even monitoring which Australians are fighting for the Russian or Israeli militaries despite the clear risks of involvement in serious war crimes in both conflicts.”
The official statement from the Australian Greens described Australia as ‘a safe haven for war criminals’ and place where ‘war criminals live freely among the people they have harmed’.
“Not only has Labor not taken action on his war crimes, but they appointed Fijian Colonel Penioni Naliva to a senior role within the Defence force despite serious allegations of torture against him,” Senator Shoebridge said.
“In recent years, alleged war criminals have treated Australia as a safe haven, knowing they won't face justice because it's nobody's job to investigate them. This impunity must end.
“Establishing a War Crimes Investigation Unit is an essential part of upholding the international order and global human rights and it is criminal that Australia does not already have one.
“The major parties won’t take responsibility for upholding international law, but the Greens recognise that a strong international system is a pathway to peace.”
