Doctors Without Borders pushes for independent investigation of hospital bombing

Charging that the American bombing of its hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan was a war crime, humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is calling for an independent probe of the attack to determine whether it will file criminal charges. "If we let this go, we are basically giving a blank check to any countries at war," explained Doctors Without Borders International President Dr. Joanne Liu.

"The facts and circumstances of this attack must be investigated independently and impartially, particularly given the inconsistencies in the U.S. and Afghan accounts of what happened over recent days," Liu said in a statement published Wednesday. "It is unacceptable that the bombing of a hospital and the killing of staff and patients can be dismissed as collateral damage or brushed aside as a mistake."

At least 22 people were killed in the strike, including three children, and another 37 or more were injured. Doctors Without Borders has announced it will not reopen the hospital, which was the only facility in the area capable of treating serious injuries, after the bombing.

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