Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Friday commented on the recent reports of Australian "war crimes", saying that he was shocked by the details disclosed in the investigation report and strongly condemned such violations of international conventions and human conscience.
A recent major report has found that Australian special forces were allegedly involved in the murder of 39 Afghan civilians, in some cases executing prisoners to "blood" junior soldiers before inventing cover stories and planting weapons on corpses.
The findings are from a four-year inquiry led by the Australian Defence Force's assistant inspector general, Maj Gen Justice Paul Brereton.
"We call for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be brought to justice," Zhao said.
Criticizing that some Western countries always regard themselves as defenders of human rights, Zhao pointed out that the facts revealed by the report fully expose the hypocrisy of the so-called human rights freedom of these Western countries.
He urged the related countries to stop using human rights as excuses to interfere in other countries' internal affairs and engage in political manipulation.
"They should reflect on themselves and think more about how to take measures to address their own serious human rights violations and violations of conscience," Zhao stressed.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has sent notices of likely dismissal to 13 special forces soldiers following the report on the murder of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.
They are suspected of being accessories or witnesses to the killings or of being dishonest in testifying.
Meanwhile, Australia's prime minister and top military commander have apologized.
Afghanistan called the murders unforgivable but welcomed last week's report as a step towards justice.
