Germany's Federal Court of Justice on Oct. 6 ruled that relatives of the victims of a 2009 air-strike in Afghanistan are not entitled to compensation. The court held that international law does not award damages or compensation for violations of international humanitarian law. Additionally, there is no legal basis for damages under German law because the scope of public liability does not extend to military missions abroad. The lawsuit concerned an air-strike ordered by Brig. Gen. Georg Klein near Kunduz, on Sept. 4, 2009. The air-strike killed 91, including many civilians. Germany has paid $5,000 to relatives of each civilian that died in the attack, but the victims' relatives were seeking additional compensation.
From Jurist, Oct. 6. Used with permission.
Afghanistan: attacks on German consulate, Bagram air base
A suicide bomber rammed a truck into the German consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif on Nov. 11, killing at least six civilians and wounding 120. The Taliban said it carried out the attack in retaliation for air-strikes last week in Kunduz province. (BBC) The next day, a suicide bomber killed four US troops in an attack on Bagram air base. (BBC)