Doctors Without Borders Horrific Report Released
Doctors Without Borders released an internal review of what happened when its hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan was bombed by U.S. military forces on October 3.
The review highlights how the U.S. violated the neutrality of the facility, which the U.S. had agreed to respect.
It also states there were no "armed combatants" in the hospital and no fighting in the "direct vicinity" at the time of the airstrikes. It also calls into question statements by anonymous officials or military operatives, which have been made to the press.
The aid group followed a "no weapons" policy, which had been implemented at the hospital, and staff remained in full control of the medical facility. GPS coordinates were also provided to Kabul and New York, and the U.S. Defense Department and Afghan Ministry of Interior, as well as the U.S. Army in Kabul, were made aware of the location of the hospital.
Dr. Joanne Liu, president of Doctors Without Borders International said even though the internal review was an ongoing process, the organization had made the decision to share details to "counter speculation" and to be "transparent." "What we know is that we were running a hospital treating patients, including wounded combatants from both sides—this was not a 'Taliban base,'"
Liu declared. "The question remains as to whether our hospital lost its protected status in the eyes of the military forces engaged in this attack—and if so, why. The answer does not lie within the MSF hospital. Those responsible for requesting, ordering and approving the airstrikes hold these answers."
READ FULL REPORT HERE
It also states there were no "armed combatants" in the hospital and no fighting in the "direct vicinity" at the time of the airstrikes. It also calls into question statements by anonymous officials or military operatives, which have been made to the press.
The aid group followed a "no weapons" policy, which had been implemented at the hospital, and staff remained in full control of the medical facility. GPS coordinates were also provided to Kabul and New York, and the U.S. Defense Department and Afghan Ministry of Interior, as well as the U.S. Army in Kabul, were made aware of the location of the hospital.
Dr. Joanne Liu, president of Doctors Without Borders International said even though the internal review was an ongoing process, the organization had made the decision to share details to "counter speculation" and to be "transparent." "What we know is that we were running a hospital treating patients, including wounded combatants from both sides—this was not a 'Taliban base,'"
Liu declared. "The question remains as to whether our hospital lost its protected status in the eyes of the military forces engaged in this attack—and if so, why. The answer does not lie within the MSF hospital. Those responsible for requesting, ordering and approving the airstrikes hold these answers."
READ FULL REPORT HERE
