When Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested, some welcomed it as a step towards justice. Others felt it had come far too late. For Afghans, the details of alleged war crimes by Australia's SAS soldiers emerged slowly, only surfacing after journalists listened to long-ignored voices from dusty villages.
The Silent Suffering in Afghan Villages
For years, claims of unlawful killings and war crimes lingered quietly in Afghan communities. Families shared stories in grief and disbelief, but lacked the language, media access, or financial means to be heard. Outside these villages, few knew the truth. By the time allegations made headlines in Australia, soldiers had departed, leaving behind an endless pain and silence.
Personal Stories from Uruzgan Province
Living in Melbourne, I helped translate interviews for an SBS program on alleged war crimes, hearing firsthand accounts from Uruzgan province. People spoke of night raids, loved ones taken away, and children witnessing incomprehensible horrors. These were not abstract claims but personal, human stories told with hesitation and heartbreak. Women and children, living in poverty, bore visible signs of suffering—thin faces and eyes heavy with sadness.
The houses described in military terms as "targets" were ordinary family homes, built traditionally with mud layers renewed after rainy seasons. These were places where people ate, slept, argued, laughed, and tried to live normal lives.
The Brereton Report and Delayed Justice
When the Brereton report was released in 2020, it confirmed allegations of unlawful killings by Australian forces, validating what Afghan families had long asserted. Yet, justice did not follow swiftly. The slow process added to the pain each year, embodying the phrase "justice delayed is justice denied" for these families.
Exhaustion from Repeated Testimonies
One poignant moment from interviews involved a neighbour of an alleged victim. Under a scorching sun, he expressed frustration, saying, "These foreigners have messed up my brain since morning. I haven't even had tea or food, and they keep asking the same questions again and again and don't seem to understand what I am saying." This highlighted the exhaustion of reliving painful memories without assurance of change. For him, justice meant being heard and believed without endless repetition.
Mixed Reactions to Roberts-Smith's Arrest
When Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier, was arrested last week on charges of "five counts of war crime – murder" related to three incidents, reactions among Afghans in Australia were mixed. Some saw it as a step towards accountability, while others felt the prosecution came too late, over a decade after the alleged crimes. This delay has diminished hope for many, yet it's crucial to acknowledge that such accountability is rare in the context of the Afghan war.
Acknowledging Uncomfortable Truths
The Brereton inquiry has enabled the Australian government to acknowledge potential wrongdoing and pursue criminal charges. This doesn't erase the pain but shows a willingness to face uncomfortable truths—a step not all countries take. However, the long wait makes it harder for victims to believe justice will be served, raising a broader question: can justice ever truly reach those affected by a bloody and reckless war?
The Importance of Accountability
War is often shaped by distant decisions framed in cold military language, making moments of accountability vital. They matter not because they fix everything, but because they demonstrate that actions have real consequences for real people. For families who endured these events, nothing can restore what was lost, but recognition, being heard, and having stories taken seriously still hold significance.
Ultimately, justice extends beyond punishment to include acknowledgment. It ensures that what happened is not ignored, denied, or forgotten, offering a semblance of closure in the face of profound loss.
