A statement by David Pettigrew, professor of philosophy and genocide studies at Southern Connecticut State University and member of the advisory board of the Yale University Genocide Studies Program, has raised serious concerns following recent remarks by Republika Srpska’s Minister of Justice Goran Selak.
Pettigrew warned that Selak’s announced intention to repeal provisions of the BiH Criminal Code that criminalize genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals represents a direct challenge to the rule of law and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, such a move would effectively legitimize denial and elevate it to the level of official policy within Republika Srpska.
He described the initiative as part of a broader pattern of destabilizing actions, arguing that institutionalizing genocide denial would not only undermine legal norms but also retraumatize survivors and distort established facts about wartime atrocities. Pettigrew emphasized that normalizing such narratives increases the risk of repeating past crimes by minimizing their severity and consequences.
The statement also points to what Pettigrew sees as a failure by domestic judicial institutions and the Office of the High Representative to adequately respond to denial and the public glorification of convicted war criminals. This perceived inaction, he argues, has contributed to an environment in which such rhetoric can escalate with little accountability.
As an example, Pettigrew referenced the continued presence of a mural dedicated to Ratko Mladić, noting that its existence reflects broader societal and institutional tolerance of narratives that contradict court-established facts.
He further linked current developments to historical policies from the early 1990s, warning that rhetoric and initiatives perceived as exclusionary or revisionist risk reviving divisive ideologies. In that context, Pettigrew stressed the need for stronger engagement in transitional justice, accountability, and constitutional reform aligned with European legal standards.
Concluding his remarks, Pettigrew called for a more decisive response from international and domestic actors, emphasizing that safeguarding peace, supporting victims, and upholding the rule of law remain essential for the country’s democratic future.
