Camp detainees demand 2 billion KM from FBiH and RS for torture suffered in camps from '92 to '95.

More than 30,000 camp detainees from Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently in a legal dispute against the entities of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH for the torture they endured in camps during the aggression against BiH from 1992 to 1995. The total compensation claim against the RS amounts to around 1.6 billion KM, while the claim against the FBiH amounts to around 400 million KM, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria (NAP).

During the aggression against BiH, around 200,000 camp detainees passed through camps in the country. Survivors describe enduring indescribable torture and crimes in the camps, and many of them died in the most severe agony and pain. According to incomplete data, there are more than 30,000 such cases, with the highest number of deaths occurring in camps under the control of the Republika Srpska army.

Jasmin Mešković, president of the Association of Camp Detainees of BiH, explains that the detainees are aware that their lawsuits could undermine the entity budgets, and that is why they have been trying for years to find a dialogue partner in the state, but without success.

- We asked the state to adopt a law that would regulate the maximum amount of compensation for torture suffered in camps, as well as the method of payment, which does not have to be immediate. Unfortunately, the authorities do not want to listen to us – Mešković told NAP.

- Responsibility lies primarily with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH. If they do not pass such a law, the entity budgets will face major problems, because sooner or later someone will have to pay compensation to the detainees.

The authorities of the Republika Srpska entity are now doing everything to intimidate and deter detainees from filing lawsuits. However, none of them want to give up, and they announce that they will seek justice before international courts as well.

- The National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted a set of laws declaring the cases of detainees as time-barred, or postponing payment to some other time – says Mešković.

- Medical examinations in this entity cost detainees 500 KM, and fees are very high. But the detainees will not give up on any lawsuit. Because there is no court that can say that detainees do not have the right to compensation for what they survived in the camps.

The Association of Camp Detainees of Bosnia and Herzegovina will organize a round table this weekend on Mount Vlašić, which will be attended by a large number of lawyers handling the legal cases of detainees, who will, through the exchange of information, improve and strengthen the detainees' lawsuits, writes Patria.