It has been revealed that NZ troops in Afghanistan have been complicit in American war crimes. The Herald reports today that in 2002 NZ SAS captured 50-70 terrorist suspects in 'snatch-grab' missions and handed them over to the US armed forces. Rather than being treated as prisoners of war - which would have give them the protections of internationally agreed procedures - the suspects 'had their heads shaved, no photos or ID taken and their belongings thrown into a single pile'. Despite the New Zealanders having serious doubts about the treatment of the prisoners, neither the then Defence Minister Mark Burton, or the current one, Phil Goff, claim to have been informed of 'operational level' issues relating to this. It is possible that the suspects were sent to Guantanamo Bay.
NZ still have 116 troops in Afghanistan - allegedly involved in 'reconstruction'. NoRightTurn correctly comments that 'Helen Clark's decision to send the SAS to Afghanistan has seen New Zealand troops become complicit in American war crimes. And that is something we should hold her accountable for.'
