Australian army officers could be facing the International Criminal Court in The Hague if the investigation into command responsibility isn't taken seriously enough, a criminal law expert has warned.
Dr Glenn Kolomeitz – a criminal law expert and Afghanistan veteran – appeared alongside the Senator in Parliament House on Tuesday afternoon following her fiery speech to the Senate earlier that day, where she revealed she had referred top military brass to the ICC to investigate their “criminal liability” in alleged war crimes.
The ICC is intended to complement, not to replace, national criminal systems; it prosecutes cases only when states are unwilling or unable to do so. “If Australia does nothing about it, the ICC can potentially assume jurisdiction over the higher command and excise the higher command investigation of junior officers,” he said.Senator Jacqui Lambie and Lawyer Glenn Kolomeitz hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Dr Kolomeitz added that past governments had made it a “much harder test” to investigate, prosecute and convict an Australian than was the intent of the Rome Statute. Dr Kolomeitz called on the government not to conduct internal ADF enquiries, but to properly investigate allegations of criminality of which command responsibility is a crime.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jacquie Lambie referring the Australian Defence Force to the international criminal court | 7NEWSFormer soldier turned politician JacquiLambie is taking on the senior ranks of the defence force, referring them to the international criminal court. auspol 7NEWS
Read more »
‘Culture of coverup’: Lambie refers ADF top brass to International Criminal CourtJacqui Lambie has revealed she has referred Australia’s top military brass to the International Criminal Court to investigate their “criminal liability” in alleged war crimes during an emotional statement to the Senate.
Read more »
Australian Senator refers ADF senior command to international court over war crimes allegationsIndependent Senator Jacqui Lambie has referred senior ADF commanders to the International Criminal Court to front a war crimes investigation. Ms Lambie revealed the referral during a fiery speech to the Senate where she argued senior commanders should face the same “hardcore legal lens” as soldiers. “It seems that those responsible are the least accountable,” Ms Lambie told the Senate on Tuesday. “I guess it was just another marking your own homework exercise.”
Read more »
Chinese hackers use G7 ruse to target Australian government officialsAustralia is among a group of four countries whose government officials have been targeted by suspected China-based hackers attempting to install malicious software on their devices and steal information.
Read more »
Legalise Cannabis makes united push for personal marijuana use in three Australian statesThe party’s bill allowing adults to possess and grow small quantities of the drug at home will be introduced across Victoria, NSW and WA
Read more »
Pro-Cannabis MPs push for legalisation across three Australian statesPro-Cannabis MPs will table legislation today to legalise the drug in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia. Under the proposed changes, adults could legally possess small quantities for personal use and grow up to six plants. Legalise Cannabis MPs say they haven't ruled out blocking key government bills to gain support for their proposed legislation.
Read more »