Serbia and Croatia ruling: justice still needed for war crimes victims

‘Serbia and Croatia must urgently act to provide justice for those who have been ignored for so long’ - John Dalhuisen

Serbia and Croatia must now focus their efforts on ensuring accountability for crimes against humanity and war crimes and reparation for victims at the national level, says Amnesty International today, following the International Court of Justice ruling that neither Serbia nor Croatia had committed genocide during the conflict in 1990s.

Amnesty International Europe and Central Asia Director John Dalhuisen said:

“The fact that the court was unable to find the necessary intent on either side to commit genocide does not change the fact, as the Court itself acknowledged, that crimes against humanity and war crimes were committed by individuals on both sides.

“Accountability for these crimes has been slow and partial in both countries. With the final prosecutions in The Hague drawing to a close, both Croatia and Serbia must strengthen efforts to provide justice, truth and reparation to all victims.

“In both countries, victims of sexual violence have particularly struggled to secure justice and reparation. This must be a priority. And 20 years on, it is a scandal that the issue of missing persons remains unresolved. Both Serbia and Croatia must urgently act to provide justice for those who have been ignored for so long.”