Controversial Afghanistan War Report to Be Displayed in Australian Museum Exhibition

The Australian War Memorial has announced that a version of the ‘Brereton Report’ concerning allegations of war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan will be showcased in a new exhibition. The exhibition is dedicated to examining Australia’s role in the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan.

The Brereton Report, published in 2020, highlighted credible evidence of the killing of 39 Afghan civilians and detainees by Australian special forces across 23 separate incidents. Upon its release, the report triggered widespread reactions both within Australia and internationally.

Australian media, citing officials, reported that the new exhibition will include not only the official military narratives but also the “difficult and disturbing dimensions” of the war, aiming to present a more comprehensive picture of Australia’s presence and conduct in Afghanistan.

The museum’s director stated that the purpose of the exhibition is to help visitors gain a holistic understanding of the various aspects of the twenty-year war in Afghanistan— a conflict that began in 2001 and has had profound impacts on Afghanistan’s security, political, and social landscape.