Writing for the Guardian, Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Bosnian genocide in which over 7,000 Bosnian Muslims were slaughtered and more than 35,000 were forcibly displaced.
In his statement, he remarked upon his ten-year service as chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), where they made a clear judgement that genocide was committed.
Brammertz notes that this genocide “was planned at the highest political and military leadership level and implemented through coordinated action to eliminate the Bosnian Muslim population of Srebrenica”.
Whilst commending progress made towards reconciliation, he further states that “much more remains to be done to achieve justice and reconciliation in the region”. 3,000 cases remain to be processed with regards to the massacres in Srebrenica, and a “number of alleged genocidaires have fled to Serbia and found safe haven there, including political leaders and military commanders”.
With respect to these individuals he states:
“It is deeply distressing that so many alleged perpetrators of genocide have still not faced justice. I have witnessed the pain of the survivors who must face the reality that some of those alleged to have murdered their loved ones can still walk the streets freely”.
The facts behind this genocide were only revealed due to the bravery of survivors and the efforts of the victims’ families. Yet, Brammertz warns that these individuals have come under attack as there continues in the area “genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals”.
notes that leaders in the region have engaged in genocidal denial describing “Srebrenica [as] a hoax and a lie”.
Genocide denial and glorification of convicted war criminals continue to be a failure to the victims of Srebrenica.
Brammertz calls upon us all to “speak out with one voice when genocide is denied and those responsible are glorified”.
He further maintains that the international community must live up to their international commitments. He states:
“I firmly believe the international community has a moral responsibility to bring war criminals and genocidaires to justice – not only the victims of the Srebrenica genocide but for all victims of mass atrocities”.
Read Serge Brammertz full statement on The Guardian.
