Iraq

ICC Drops Probe into British War Crimes in Iraq

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor announced Wednesday she was shutting down a preliminary probe into war crimes committed by British soldiers after the US-led invasion in Iraq.

Fatou Bensouda’s announcement comes after a “rigorous” six-year long investigation into the conduct of British military personnel, particularly into the treatment of Iraqi prisoners in detention.

The prosecutor based, in The Hague, had said in 2017 there was “reasonable basis” to believe British soldiers did commit war crimes. On Wednesday however, she said she could not find any evidence that Britain had shielded suspects from prosecution before British courts.

Human Rights Watch however lamented the decision, saying the British government “has repeatedly shown precious little interest in investigating and prosecuting atrocities committed abroad by British troops.”

“The prosecutor’s decision to close her UK inquiry will doubtless fuel perceptions of an ugly double standard in justice: one approach to powerful states and quite another for those with less clout,” said Clive Baldwin, a senior legal adviser with the group.

The ICC has been under fire by Washington for opening a full-fledged investigation into war crimes committed by US troops on the territory of ICC member Afghanistan. The government of President Donald Trump this year imposed sanctions on Bensouda because of the probe.

Last month, a report by Australian authorities said the country’s special forces allegedly killed 39 unarmed prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016, leading other countries to re-examine the conduct of their troops.

Australia said 19 current and former soldiers would be referred for potential criminal prosecution.

Source: Agencies

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