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‘You live for those breakthroughs’: an investigation into military tribunals on US airbases meant protecting those who spoke out
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- The Guardian's investigation revealed that women in the UK accusing US servicemen of serious crimes, including rape and sexual assault, have been denied full protections under the British justice system because cases are tried in US military tribunals on UK bases.
- These US courts martial feature all-military juries and often result in lesser charges and verdicts than would be expected in British courts, with victims subjected to invasive and distressing questioning.
- The Guardian team supported sources carefully, respecting their choices on anonymity while ensuring they were prepared for public exposure and its potential impacts.
- Reporting from RAF Lakenheath highlighted the quasi-sovereign nature of US bases in the UK and the hidden nature of these military trials, which lack transparency and public scrutiny.
- Following the investigation's publication, UK government ministers have launched a review into jurisdictional issues, met with victims like Sarah Steele, and pledged to improve victim support and ensure justice is served.
