MSF: Independent Investigation for Kunduz

US Air Forces hit during the air strike a hospital providing humanitarian aid located in province of Kunduz in Afghanistan.

10 patients, including three children and 12 medical staff have lost their lives in the attack on the hospital belong to one of the biggest humanitarian aid foundations, Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

After the incident neither US government nor Afghan officials avoid to take responsibility, however since the evidence are clear and there are eyewitnesses, General John F. Campbell on behalf of US government claimed responsibility in a press statement yesterday.

Campbell: A tragic accident

Campbell stating they burst on the scene with air support upon Afghan forces' call for aid described the incident as a tragic accident.

Afghan government officials acting together with the US within the coalition making a similar statement claimed that there were Taliban militants in the hospital area and clashes took place.

MSF director explained the truth

Nevertheless MSF General Director Christopher Stokes on one hand criticizing US' ambiguous attitude, denied Afghani officials on the other:
"Today US government admitted that the attack that claimed lives of 22 patients and staff was carried out by them. The way they define the attack changes transiently in such a manner to describe it from 'collateral damage' to 'a tragic accident' and even blaming Afghanistan for it. The truth is; it was the US who bombarded it! Because of the inconsistencies between Afghan and US sources need for a transparent and independent investigation is at a vital point."

"Independent and international investigation"

The MSF initiating a worldwide campaign has called for a comprehensive, independent and international investigation.

Besides, Stokes mentioning internal investigations started by Afghan and US governments emphasized that these efforts would be insufficient:

MSF: An obvious war crime

"Doctors Without Borders (MSF) requests a comprehensive and transparent investigation to be initiated in line with the assumption of a war crime committed regarding the incident by an international independent institution. We want to repeat that while other parts of hospital remain untouched, the main hospital building where our medical staff treat patients are targeted directly and hit repeatedly during the air strike."

The investigation is being conducted by the US Defense Ministry (Pentagon).

UN also called it "war crime"

UN is also of opinion that the attacks are "unforgivable" and "probably in the scope of war crime." (OA/AS/TK)

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