IGK calls on Mayor of Sarajevo and councillors to honour great friend of BiH by naming a street after Francis Boyle

(Patria) - The Institute for Genocide Research Canada (IGK) has called on the Mayor of Sarajevo, Predrag Puharić, and councillors in the City Council to honour the great friend of truth, justice, culture of remembrance, and a true friend of BiH and Sarajevo, the first attorney of BiH, Prof. Dr. Francis Boyle, by naming a street after him or in another appropriate way.

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Preminuo Francis Boyle, prvi agent BiH pred Međunarodnim sudom pravde u Haagu

(Patria) - Prvi agent Bosne i Hercegovine pred Međunarodnim sudom pravde u Haagu, Francis Boyle, preminuo je 30. januara u 75. godini života.Boyle je bio nekadašnji agent BiH u Haagu i profesor internacionalnog prava na Univeritetu Illinos.Osim to

"Bosnia and Herzegovina and its capital Sarajevo should be a place where we will remember with dignity and forever cherish the culture of remembrance of that great man.

Francis Boyle, an American professor of international law and human rights lawyer, passed away on 30 January 2025 at the age of 75. He was a key figure in Bosnia and Herzegovina's legal fight for justice, the first agent of our state before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the man who raised the issue of genocide committed against Bosniaks in court.

Boyle was also an advisor to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Provisional Government of the Palestinian Authority, as well as a legal representative before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. His legal work was crucial in the process that led to the 2007 judgment, which confirmed that genocide occurred in Srebrenica and that Serbia was responsible for failing to prevent and punish the crime.

His strategy was to use international law to break the arms embargo and prevent the partition of Bosnia and Herzegovina that was being pushed through the Vance-Owen plan. He met with President Alija Izetbegović, who authorised him as the chief agent of BiH before the World Court.

Until the last days of his life, Francis Boyle was an advocate for the truth about the war in BiH and the genocide against Bosniaks. He also sharply criticised the Dayton Agreement, considering it a legal tool that rewarded aggression and partially legalised genocide.

His legal work and dedication to justice left an indelible mark on the fight for the truth about the Bosnian war. He was one of the few Americans who did not view Bosnia and Herzegovina through the prism of geopolitical interests, but through the universal values of justice and human rights.

His words about Bosnia and Herzegovina remain a testament to a struggle and friendship that was not self-serving, but sincere and dedicated:

'Bosnians fought for their right to exist. They were subjected to aggression and genocide, and the world watched it all and did nothing. Yet, Bosnia survived and will survive despite everything. If anything deserves admiration, it is the unwavering will of that people not to surrender.'

Francis Boyle was not just a lawyer and academic - he was a man who defended Bosnia and the universal principles of justice with heart and knowledge," the statement signed by IGK Director Emir Ramić reads.