By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Sarajevo Times
  • HOME
  • POLITICS
    • BH & EU
  • BUSINESS
  • BH TOURISM
  • INTERVIEWS
    • BH & EU
    • BUSINESS
    • ARTS
  • SPORT
  • ARTS
    • CULTURE
    • ENTERTAINMENT
  • W&N
Search
  • ABOUT US
  • IMPRESSUM
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Law Sanctioning Genocide Denial to enter into Force after Eight Days
Share
Aa
Sarajevo Times
Aa
  • HOME
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • BH TOURISM
  • INTERVIEWS
  • SPORT
  • ARTS
  • W&N
Search
  • HOME
  • POLITICS
    • BH & EU
  • BUSINESS
  • BH TOURISM
  • INTERVIEWS
    • BH & EU
    • BUSINESS
    • ARTS
  • SPORT
  • ARTS
    • CULTURE
    • ENTERTAINMENT
  • W&N
Follow US
  • ABOUT US
  • IMPRESSUM
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT
© 2012 Sarajevo Times. All rights reserved.
Sarajevo Times > Blog > POLITICS > Law Sanctioning Genocide Denial to enter into Force after Eight Days
POLITICS

Law Sanctioning Genocide Denial to enter into Force after Eight Days

July 23, 2021
Share
SHARE

Milorad Dodik, who repeated the denial of genocide several times today, will not be sanctioned under the new law, because the law will enter into force in eight days.

The OHR statement states that the following law, which forms an integral part of this decision, shall enter into force eight days after the publication of this decision, ie on Saturday, July 31, on a provisional basis, until it is adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, without amendments and without additional conditions.

This Decision shall be published without delay on the official website of the Office of the High Representative and in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

High Representative Valentin Inzko introduced amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia-Herzegovina today, sanctioning the glorification of war criminals convicted by final and binding judgments and the denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The amendments to the BiH Criminal Code aim to address the inadequacy of the currently applicable legal framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which does not offer an adequate response to the issue of hate speech manifested through the denial of the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, even when those crimes have already been adjudicated with final and binding judgments reached by a number of domestic and international courts.

The High Representative believes that “the lack of acknowledgment, accountability and redress for victims of mass atrocities and systematic abuses has devastating effects on society. Hate speech, the glorification of war criminals, and revisionism or outright denial of genocide and war crimes prevent societies from dealing with their collective past constitute renewed humiliation of the victims and their loved ones, while also perpetuating injustice and undermining interethnic relationships. All of this causes frustrations, makes the society chronically ill, and prevents the emergence of desperately needed reconciliation. Of course, all this prevents the building of a peaceful and prosperous future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The High Representative also recalls the fact that:

“The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have waited many years for their elected representatives to legislate this very serious issue. However, every effort to do so was blocked! During that time, the situation has gotten worse, and is now getting out of hand! By advancing various conspiracy theories, some political leaders are openly praising the finally convicted war criminals, denying that the Srebrenica genocide ever took place, while some ordinary citizens are following their cues and narratives.

I have long hoped for humanity and common sense to prevail, but, regretfully, we are witnessing an escalation of glorification of war criminals, the challenging of the final and binding judgments reached by the Criminal Court established by the United Nations. Apart from the fact that such behaviour constitutes a mockery of the rule of law, I am deeply convinced that it is also sowing the seeds for potential new conflicts. Therefore, I believe that it is now necessary to regulate this matter with legal solutions.“

The High Representative has felt the need to emphasize that his interventions in the criminal legislation have nothing to do with collective guilt, but instead they deal with individual responsibility, explaining that he would like to reject in advance any potential manipulations which might claim that these legislative amendments are directed against one of the three peoples. Bosniacs, Croats and Serbs are good people.

„There are no bad nations. These are legislative amendments aimed at relaxing and relieving all peoples and citizens of BiH. Individuals convicted of such serious crimes should not be praised, should not have public spaces dedicated in their names or murals painted in their honour, regardless of for whom or against whom they fought. Recognizing the guilt of individuals allows people to unburden themselves from the weight of the past, and move on towards a more promising future. Young people born after the war have been robbed of a better future on a daily basis at the expense of the bloody past. Everyone becomes a victim of the verbal warfare over the interpretation of the past war, and this has to stop now! It is important to understand that without truth there is no justice, and without justice there is no much needed reconciliation.”

Finally, the High Representative explains why, at the end of his term, he has reached for the Bonn powers to amend the BiH criminal legislation.

“My conscience dictates that I have no right to end my term while the convicted war criminals are being glorified. I have no right to leave such a situation to the tormented citizens of this beautiful country and to my successor. I have no right to ignore the verdicts of the Hague Tribunal, which was established by the UN Security Council, and I am responsible for the civilian implementation of the peace process.

Namely, since the final verdict against the architect of evil, Radovan Karadzic, I have been working intensively on the project of dealing with the war past, in order to reach the point where forgiveness would be sought and given through the process of facing the truth. All the way to the point where the entire society would be healed! According to my project, Srebrenica, which is already globally known for genocide, should be globally known for forgiveness too. I found the inspiration for this idea in mother Hatidža Mehmedović, who lost all close members of her family in the Srebrenica genocide, both sons, husband, and 34 other family members, but she was ready to extend, and extended, her hand of forgiveness.

Regretfully, when, earlier this year, I requested the Republika Srpska National Assembly to withdraw the decorations awarded to three convicted war criminals, the RSNA delegates refused to do so by a majority vote, while confirming the correctness of the decision they made earlier. Almost all chances that I offered to the domestic authorities to distance themselves from war criminals were ultimately rejected. Therefore, as a moral obligation towards the citizens who suffered the horrors of the war, as well as a debt to the young people in this country who were born after the war, I have decided to use the Bonn powers and intervene in the criminal law,  to the effect that no glorification of war criminals and no revision of historical facts will in future be possible with impunity. And this country is indeed entitled to enjoy the universal values of civilization.“

You Might Also Like

Loan Agreement between BiH and the EBRD signed in Sarajevo

Members of Chetnik Movement are buying-out Prison Sentence

Association of Intellectuals: If Serbia decides to oppose the West, war will break out again in the Western Balkans

Commissioner Selimovic addressed the Public after his Resignation

Schmidt and State Property: Will the High Representative comply with the Wishes of the RS?

TAGGED: #BiH, #denial, #genocide, #sanctions
Y.Z July 23, 2021
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article Cikotic and Vulin to discuss the Improvement of Cooperation between BiH and Serbia
Next Article Marking of the Anniversary of War Crimes in Keraterm Camp held Today
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Stay Connected

10.2k Followers Like
10.1k Followers Follow
414 Followers Follow

Latest News

Loan Agreement between BiH and the EBRD signed in Sarajevo
February 1, 2023
Members of Chetnik Movement are buying-out Prison Sentence
February 1, 2023
Association of Intellectuals: If Serbia decides to oppose the West, war will break out again in the Western Balkans
February 1, 2023
Commissioner Selimovic addressed the Public after his Resignation
February 1, 2023
EU announces Public Call worth Five Million BAM in BiH
February 1, 2023
Schmidt and State Property: Will the High Representative comply with the Wishes of the RS?
February 1, 2023
Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers met with EBRD Delegation
February 1, 2023
Will MPs vote on the Law on Excise Tax and reduce the Fuel Prices in BiH?
February 1, 2023
Members of BiH Presidency met with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Senate
February 1, 2023
“For New Generations” is no longer a Partner for Government Formation
January 31, 2023

You Might also Like

POLITICS

Loan Agreement between BiH and the EBRD signed in Sarajevo

February 1, 2023
POLITICS

Members of Chetnik Movement are buying-out Prison Sentence

February 1, 2023
POLITICS

Association of Intellectuals: If Serbia decides to oppose the West, war will break out again in the Western Balkans

February 1, 2023
POLITICS

Commissioner Selimovic addressed the Public after his Resignation

February 1, 2023
Sarajevo Times
Follow US

© 2012 Sarajevo Times. All Rights Reserved.

  • ABOUT US
  • IMPRESSUM
  • NEWSLETTER
  • CONTACT

Removed from reading list

Undo
Go to mobile version
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?