Court to Probe Afghan War Crimes (BBC News)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile
Sept. 10, 2009 (BBC News) -- The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) says he is gathering information about possible war crimes in Afghanistan.
[A U.S Marine from Delta Company of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion patrols near the town of Khan Neshin in Rig district of Helmand province, southern Afghanistan September 8, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama faces key decisions in the coming weeks on the war in Afghanistan. (REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic)]A U.S Marine from Delta Company of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion patrols near the town of Khan Neshin in Rig district of Helmand province, southern Afghanistan September 8, 2009. U.S. President Barack Obama faces key decisions in the coming weeks on the war in Afghanistan. (REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic)
Luis Moreno-Ocampo says that he will be examining claims relating to both Nato soldiers and Taliban insurgents.

He said the court had received allegations from many sources, relating to attacks and collateral damage.

But the court will only become involved if Kabul or the UN Security Council ask it to look into allegations.

Afghanistan signed the treaty that established the Hague-based court.

Any war crime committed on its territory by either Afghan nationals or foreign forces can be investigated by the court.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/10