Conviction of Mladić a step towards justice for victims

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Conviction of Mladić for genocide a step towards justice for victims of conflict

Today’s conviction of the former Bosnian Serb war leader, general Ratko Mladić, for crimes under international law, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes has finally – after more than 20 years – delivered justice to tens of thousands of the victims of 1992-95 armed conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Amnesty International.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The verdict handed down by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague recognizes his individual criminal responsibility as Commander of the Bosnian Serb Army, and his participation in joint criminal enterprises, including to terrorize the population of Sarajevo and eliminate Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica.

“This landmark verdict marks a significant moment for international justice and sends out a powerful message around the world that impunity cannot and will not be tolerated,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe Director.

“Whilst it does not end the suffering of those relatives who have waited more than 20 years to see this day, seeing justice delivered might offer them some closure.”

The Trial Chamber of International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) found Mladić guilty on 10 of 11 counts, including genocide, persecutions on ethnic and religious grounds of Bosnian Muslims and Croats, as well as extermination, murder, deportation, inhumane acts as crimes against humanity. He was also convicted for murder, terror, unlawful attacks on civilians and the taking of hostages.

He was acquitted on one count of genocide in relation to the crimes committed in six northern municipalities, but was found to have been part of the joint criminal enterprise to remove Bosnian Muslims and Croats from those territories.

His trial is one of the longest in the court’s history due to the extent of the charges, the scale of the evidence including the hearing of 592 witnesses, and several attempts by his defence counsel to delay, or end the proceedings. His lawyers have said they will appeal the verdict.

“Today’s verdict brings to an end the attempts by Ratko Mladić to evade responsibility for the deaths, rape and deportations of thousands of Bosnian Muslim and Croat victims,” said John Dalhuisen.

“It is also an important reminder that more than 20 years after the Bosnian War, thousands of cases of enforced disappearances remain unresolved, and victims and their families continue to be denied access to justice, truth and reparation.”