CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION IN CIVILIAN CASUALTY INVESTIGATIONS: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE AZIZABAD ATTACK

摘要

In the wails of the mourners at Azizabad, if one listens closely enough, a clarion call sounds. Two of its notes ring loudest. First, the U.S. military should continue to make every effort to ensure that innocents do not die in war. The military has heard this call and largely heeded its teaching. But the second note has yet to engender such wide scale change. This second note urges parties to a conflict to quickly and effectively investigate all incidents in which civilians perish. Those who lost loved ones, as well as society at large, deserve to promptly learn the truth. They deserve better than to be misled by multiple investigations, some of which may present incorrect conclusions.rnThe U.S. military must heed this second call. Every civilian killed makes those who live less likely to support the host government. Failing to conduct open and effective investigations into civilian casualties only enhances this reluctance. Thus, the U.S. Government should act boldly and swiftly to earn back the trust of the local populace. Towards this end, a Task Force on Civilian Protection should be established and invested with the responsibility of investigating all serious civilian casualty incidents. Investigating civilian casualties in an effective and open manner requires an "all hands on deck" approach. Therefore, the Task Force should not only involve the United Nations and the host government, but representative NGOs as well.