ex gratia/condolence payments
17 Articles

For Another Year, DoD Fails to Make Condolence Payments to Civilian Harm Victims
Despite recent reforms, the Pentagon still has not made any condolence payments for civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations.

Before Leaving Somalia, African Union Should Provide Compensation for Civilian Harm
The mission serves as an important precedent for others, so the international community must provide funding as a gesture of respect.

Civilian Protection Gains Stagnate in FY24 House NDAA
As the Senate considers the NDAA, U.S. policymakers should rally around the passed House amendments poised to make progress for civilians.

Pentagon Investigation into Syria Strike: A Litmus Test for Civilian Harm Response
The Pentagon's investigation into the May 3 drone strike in Syria is a litmus test for broader efforts to address civilian harm.

Under the Pentagon’s New Civilian Harm Action Plan, Addressing Credible Cases is a Moral Imperative
If the new CHMR-AP is to have a meaningful impact, it must address families making requests of the Pentagon now.

How the FY23 NDAA Can Strengthen Oversight and Transparency of U.S. Security Assistance and Civilian Harm (Part II)
The draft NDAA contains a number of important provisions for preventing and responding to civilian harm.

How the FY23 NDAA Can Strengthen U.S. Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Civilian Harm (Part I)
Overhauling U.S. policies for preventing and responding to civilian harm will require sustained engagement from Congress.

DoD Can’t Move Forward on Civilian Casualties Without Looking Back
"Neglecting past cases would be a grave mistake that could damage the credibility of an otherwise promising process."

Ending the Forever War, But Leaving a Legacy of Impunity in Afghanistan
The international military forces withdrawing from Afghanistan leave behind a legacy of impunity that threatens to undermine hopes for peace and justice in Afghanistan for years…

AFRICOM’s Improved Civilian Casualty Reporting System Still Leaves Gaps for Somalia
Only with more ways to submit reports and the proper followup can the U.S. military start to rebuild trust among communities harmed by its actions.

DOD’s New Ex Gratia Policy: What’s Right, What’s Wrong, and What’s Next
On June 22, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued an interim policy regulation for providing ex gratia payments to civilians harmed as a result of U.S. military operations. It…

Toward a Consistent and Coherent Ex Gratia Policy for Civilian Casualties
The summer of 2017 was an extended nightmare for the Badrans. Over the course of several weeks, 39 members of Rasha Badran’s family, most of them women and children, were killed…