The community of Bosnian-Herzegovinian associations in Great Britain (BH UK Network) reacted to the news of the death of Ratko Mladić, confirming its solidarity with the victims and survivors of genocide, war crimes and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mladić died at the age of 84, while serving a life sentence. The United Nations Tribunal convicted him of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including responsibility for the genocide in Srebrenica and crimes committed during the siege of Sarajevo.
BH UK Network was founded by people affected by the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The organization has been supporting survivors of war, genocide and forced displacement for 30 years and helping families rebuild their lives in the UK.
Zaim Pašić, president of the Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the United Kingdom, said:
“Today, our thoughts are not focused on Ratko Mladić, but on his victims and survivors who continue to live with the consequences of his crimes. His death will not bring back those who were killed nor can it take away the pain that their families still carry. Mladić died as a convicted war criminal, serving a life sentence for some of the worst crimes committed in Europe after World War II. We must continue to defend the truth, oppose genocide denial, and ensure that future generations understand what happened in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
dr. Anes Cerić, Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Midlands and CEO of BH UK Network, added:
“Our organization works daily with communities affected by war, genocide and forced displacement. At this emotional moment, our priority is to be with the survivors and the families of the victims.
This should not be a moment to glorify the perpetrator of the crime. This should be a moment in which we remember the victims and renew our common commitment to truth, justice, a culture of remembrance and education.”
BH UK Network calls on political leaders, public institutions and the media to report responsibly, reject all forms of genocide denial and ensure that the victims remain at the center of the public conversation.
