Reactions Announced Following the Death of Ratko Mladic, Responsible for the Srebrenica Massacre
While the passing of Ratko Mladic in prison, where he was serving a sentence for genocide, was evaluated by victims' relatives and the United Nations with an emphasis on the realization of justice and the preservation of historical memory, different claims were put forward by Serb and Russian officials.
Following the death in prison of former Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the Srebrenica genocide in which at least 8,000 Muslims were killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, varied reactions came from the international community and victims' relatives.
Evaluation by Victims' Relatives and Memorial Center
Emir Suljagic, head of the Srebrenica Memorial Center, stated that Mladic's death does not change judicial decisions rendered or historical truths. Suljagic expressed that the most important duty is not to allow the truth about the genocide, accountability, and collective memory to be forgotten.
Kada Hotic, 82, who lost her husband and son in Srebrenica, expressed satisfaction that the court in The Hague sentenced Mladic to life imprisonment and did not release him, emphasizing that the former general died in shame due to the crimes he committed.
United Nations Warned Against Denial of Massacre
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement made through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, declared his solidarity with the victims and their families. Guterres recalled that the court decisions are final and that this situation is recorded in the historical record.
The Secretary-General also called on authorities to refrain from denying the Srebrenica genocide and from glorifying war criminals convicted by international tribunals.
Claims of Serb Politicians and Russia
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and Serb ultra-nationalist politician Vojislav Seselj described Mladic's death as murder. Dodik claimed that the former general fought to protect the Serb people and was respected.
Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Mladic's fundamental right to health was ignored during the judicial process in The Hague, arguing that the court displayed double standards and an anti-Serb attitude.