Four US soldiers face disciplinary action for burning Taliban soldiers' bodies
{{date|November 27, 2005}}

Four [[US]] soldiers involved in the burning of two dead [[Afghan Taliban]] bodies on October 1st now face disciplinary measures for their actions. The two officers who ordered the burning of the bodies were reprimanded for lacking cultural and religious sensitivity.  The [[Islam|Muslim faith]] does not permit the cremation of dead bodies. The two soldiers responsible for recording a message boasting about the act of the burning and broadcasting it on loudspeakers will face {{w|non-judicial punishment}}, which may include a loss of pay, confinement to quarters, or demotion in rank. Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya explained that while the broadcast was "designed to incite fleeing Taliban to fight," this violates military policy. 

Kandahar's governor, Asadullah Khalid, expressed his confidence into the investigation.  Religious leaders in the region, however, have criticised its findings and called for more severe punishment of the soldiers involved.  An Afghan investigation into the matter that was ordered by President [[Hamid Karzai]] has also been completed, although the results have not been released.

The US army investigation concluded that there was no intent to desecrate the bodies as the intention behind the burnings were hygienic reasons.  No criminal charges were pressed against any of the soldiers involved.

The footage, filmed by [[Australia]]n journalist Stephen Dupont, has not been aired in [[Afghanistan]], according to the ''Associated Press''. 

== Related news ==

*{{Wikinews|title=American soldiers accused of desecrating enemy bodies
|date=October 20, 2005 }}
*{{Wikinews|title=Australian video journalist denies bodies burned in disrespect
|date=October 27, 2005 }}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/26/AR2005112600866.html
|title=GIs Who Burned Fighters' Bodies to Be Disciplined
|author=Daniel Cooney
|pub=Washington Post
|date=November 27, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=125956&region=2
|title=US soldiers disciplined
|author=
|pub=SBS
|date=November 27, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/26/AR2005112600866.html
|title=GIs Who Burned Fighters' Bodies to Be Disciplined
|author=Daniel Cooney
|pub=The Guardian
|date=November 27, 2005}}

{{Publish}}

{{archive}}
[[Category:Afghanistan]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Afghan Taliban]]
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Hamid Karzai]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Religion]]

[[sv:Kremering av talibankroppar gav USA-soldater disciplinstraff]]
Four US soldiers involved in the burning of two dead Afghan Taliban bodies on October 1st now face disciplinary measures for their actions. The two officers who ordered the burning of the bodies were reprimanded for lacking cultural and religious sensitivity.  The Muslim faith does not permit the cremation of dead bodies. The two soldiers responsible for recording a message boasting about the act of the burning and broadcasting it on loudspeakers will face , which may include a loss of pay, confinement to quarters, or demotion in rank. Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya explained that while the broadcast was "designed to incite fleeing Taliban to fight," this violates military policy. 

Kandahar's governor, Asadullah Khalid, expressed his confidence into the investigation.  Religious leaders in the region, however, have criticised its findings and called for more severe punishment of the soldiers involved.  An Afghan investigation into the matter that was ordered by President Hamid Karzai has also been completed, although the results have not been released.

The US army investigation concluded that there was no intent to desecrate the bodies as the intention behind the burnings were hygienic reasons.  No criminal charges were pressed against any of the soldiers involved.

The footage, filmed by Australian journalist Stephen Dupont, has not been aired in Afghanistan, according to the Associated Press. 

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Afghanistan United States Crime and law Afghan Taliban Islam Australia Hamid Karzai Asia North America Oceania Religion