Afghan war crimes whistleblower, David McBride, will speak in Byron Bay on Saturday, August 19, at Marvell Hall from 6pm.
Event organisers say, ‘Former military lawyer McBride is facing a secret trial on November 13 that could result in him serving a life sentence for leaking classified information that formed the basis of The Afghan Files, a 2017 ABC exposé revealing allegations of misconduct by Australian special forces in Afghanistan’.
‘During two tours in Afghanistan as a legal officer, McBride became concerned that the war was being dictated by politics, rather than the best interests of Australia and Australian soldiers.
‘The rules of law and war were not being followed, and were being breached with complete impunity, because of the indifference of command. Leadership were avoiding tough decisions, because political careers were more important than people’s lives.
‘He reported his concerns to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Forces when he returned. However, when these concerns were ignored, he went to the media.’
McBride’s trial will be an expensive affair, say organisers. ‘To support him, the Assange campaign is hosting the fundraiser on Saturday, August 19, at Marvell Hall at 6pm. Declassified, a short video about McBride and his prosecution, will be shown, and David McBride will host a Q&A’.
The ADF has had a justified battering over the past two or three decades. It is time they cleaned up their act and government(s) stop persecuting whistle blowers.
If I witness a murder committed by a fellow citizen and say nothing I am complicit and could go to prison. If I witness a state-sanctioned murder (another way of saying a war such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq) and report it to an organisation prepared to publicise it I can go to prison for the rest of my life. How does that work?