(Newswire.net — September 21, 2015) — As if the atrocities of war itself weren’t enough of a traumatizing experience, U.S. soldiers have to deal with some events that are almost impossible not to react to – for example, rape. However, U.S. soldiers were ordered to “turn a blind eye” when their Afghan allies sexually abuse boys, the New York Times reported.
Before he was killed on the base in 2012, U.S. Marine, Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley Jr. told his father that at night he can hear the screams of raped boys. As he was explained, pederasty and sexual abuse of boys is in domain of Afghanistan culture and ordered not to interfere, not even if Afghan allies brought boys into the base.
“At night we can hear them screaming, but we’re not allowed to do anything about it,” the Marine’s father, Gregory Buckley Sr., recalled his son telling him before the tragic event.
“My son said that his officers told him to look the other way because it’s their culture,” Gregory Buckley Sr. told the NY Times.
In Afghanistan, sexual abuse of boys is a usual practice called bacha bazi, literally “boy play.” American soldiers and Marines have been instructed not to react because U.S. troops have a policy of not interfering with local customs.
The U.S. Army forcibly retired decorated Green Beret Sgt. First Class Charles Martland, after 11 years of service, because he joined Captain Quinn in beating up the Afghan commander who abused a boy in base.
Martland is described by many of his teammates as “the finest soldier they have ever served alongside,” Fox News reported.
“Generally, allegations of child sexual abuse by the Afghan military or police personnel would be a matter of domestic Afghan criminal law,” Col. Brian Tribus, wrote in an email to the NY times. He added that an exception is only made when rape is being used as a weapon of war.
The American policy of nonintervention is intended to maintain good relations with the Afghan police and militia units the United States has trained to fight the Taliban, U.S. military officials stated.
In Afghanistan, the sexual abuse of children is widespread, particularly among powerful men, for whom being surrounded by young teenagers can be a mark of social status, NY Times reported.