Remains of life in “Balkan Butcher” Ratko Mladic for genocide

He was found irrevocably guilty of a series of war crimes Ratko Mladic the International Criminal Court in The Hague. thus entering a 26-year affair.

The United Nations International War Crimes Tribunal has rejected an appeal by the former Bosnian Serb military commander. known as the “Butcher of the Balkans”, and upheld his life sentence for genocide.

The 78-year-old was convicted in 2017 of crimes against humanity and genocide, including war crimes, intimidation of civilians and extermination of more than 8,000 Muslims, men and boys, in Srebrenica. This action, in a pocket supposedly under the protection of the UN, is considered the greatest atrocity in Europe since World War II.

The UN welcomes the confirmation of the sentence of life imprisonment

The United Nations today welcomed a ruling by international justice that upheld the sentencing of Ratko Mladic to life in prison by High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

The court decision “It underscores the determination of international justice to ensure accountability regardless of the time it takes – and in Mladic’s case, it is almost three decades after his heinous crimes.” said Bachelet, in a joint statement issued with Alice Deritou, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention.

The joint statement issued in Geneva stressed that the verdict sent a significant message to the Western Balkans, where “denial of genocide” is on the rise.

EU: The decision will help cure those who have suffered

“The verdict on Ratko Mladic will help heal all those who have suffered.” EU High Representative Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varchelli said in a joint statement.

“The final verdict in the Ratko Mladic case concludes a key trial in Europe’s recent history of war crimes, including the genocide that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” they said.

They added that “the EU expects all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans to show full co-operation with international tribunals, to respect their rulings and to recognize their independence and impartiality.”

At the same time, Borrell and Varchelli note that “genocide denial, revisionism and the glorification of war criminals run counter to Europe’s most fundamental values. Today’s decision is an opportunity for the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, taking into account the facts, to lead the way in honor of the victims and to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation in order to overcome the legacy of war and build lasting Irene”.

“This is a precondition for the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is fundamental to the course of the EU. It is also one of the 14 key priorities of the Commission ‘s opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’ s application for EU membership,” they said.

Finally, they emphasize that “international and domestic courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighboring countries must continue their mission of bringing to justice all victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, and their family members.” “There can be no impunity.”

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