This report discusses the history of US military claims for civilian harm and reviews existing efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. CIVIC’s research for this briefing paper was conducted in Washington, Afghanistan, and Iraq from 2006–2010. Interviews include military personnel, humanitarian organizations, journalists covering civilian harm, and civilians suffering losses. Additional research includes the examination of 12,776 pages of claims documentation, released in 2007 and 2009, by the Department of Defense under the Freedom of Information Act request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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Notes to editors:
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)’s mission is to improve protection for civilians caught in conflicts around the world. We call on and advise international organizations, governments, militaries, and armed non-state actors to adopt and implement policies to prevent civilian harm. When civilians are harmed we advocate for the provision of amends and post-harm assistance. We bring the voices of civilians themselves to those making decisions affecting their lives.
For more information, contact Christopher Allbritton at +1 (917) 310-4785 or chris@civiliansinconflict.org.
