As S.O.S Der, we call on the Serbian authorities to refrain from glorifying war criminals and from rhetoric that creates a basis for the denial or minimization of the Srebrenica genocide.
As S.O.S Der, we are following with concern the developments in Serbia and the region following the death of Ratko Mladić, one of those responsible for the Srebrenica genocide and a convicted war criminal.
We condemn the honoring and glorification by the Serbian state of a person convicted of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, as well as attempts to legitimize the crimes he committed.
Such an attitude is not only a profound disrespect to the victims of Srebrenica and their families, but also to international justice and the common values of Europe.
We consider it important that the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs described the condolence message issued by Andrija Mandić, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, for Mladić as “unacceptable” and called for confronting the past, prosecuting war crimes, and respecting the judgments of international courts.
We also welcome the European Commission's clear position that the glorification of war criminals is incompatible with European values and can never be accepted in countries aspiring to join the European Union. The statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the denial of the Srebrenica genocide and the glorification of war criminals once again reminds the international community of its responsibility.
As S.O.S Der, we call on the Serbian authorities to refrain from glorifying war criminals and from rhetoric that creates a basis for the denial or minimization of the Srebrenica genocide.
We call on the European Union and European countries to adopt a firm stance on this matter and not to remain silent in the face of the denial of war crimes and the glorification of their perpetrators.
Srebrenica will not be forgotten.
Genocide cannot be denied.
War criminals cannot be glorified.
S.O.S Der
Association for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide