Special Forces Watch is a website dedicated to transparency and accountability in UK and global Special Forces operations.
Driven by the belief that democracy dies in the shadows, this website – hosted and maintained by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) – will publish occasional reports and commentaries on Special Forces operations, especially when such operations cause civilian deaths and injuries
As it stands, the UK Special Forces do not fall under the purview of the Parliamentary Defence or Intelligence Select Committees. Whilst we understand the need for Special Forces to be allowed to operate under a higher degree of classified and protected information than regular forces, such a lack of parliamentary oversight is not just a concern.
As evidenced in our main report – Killing in the Shadows – such a lack of scrutiny has led directly to an abuse of lethal power and a breakdown in democratic accountability – the very thing that Special Forces are designed to protect and preserve.
For more information please contact us here.