Serge Brammertz: Karadžić will go down in history as a war criminal

THE HAGUE, (Patria) - The Prosecution is satisfied with the Appeals Chamber judgment in the case of Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadžić, which in its most important aspects upheld the conviction handed down at trial against Karadžić on ten counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Appeals Chamber further accepted the Prosecution's appeal and sentenced Karadžić to life imprisonment. 

Following the pronouncement of the judgment, Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated that today the Appeals Chamber also confirmed that Radovan Karadžić is guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"He abused his political and military authority, together with other senior leaders, to launch an unimaginable campaign of crimes, commit terrible atrocities and destroy a country."

Karadžić led campaigns of mass ethnic cleansing in which millions were displaced, tens of thousands were killed, and a large number of ordinary, innocent people were subjected to rape, torture, sexual slavery and other forms of abuse. He oversaw the more than three-year-long siege of Sarajevo, spreading terror in the city to achieve his political goals. He used UN peacekeepers as hostages and human shields. And in Srebrenica in July 1995, he joined Ratko Mladić and others in expelling 30,000 women, girls and elderly women from their homes, and in killing thousands of Bosnian Muslim men and boys. 

Brammertz said that this United Nations court sentenced him for his crimes to life imprisonment, thereby sending a significant message that justice can overcome evil.

"Today, the victims of his crimes finally saw him answer for what he did. Opponents of the Court will claim that this verdict is a verdict on the guilt of the Serbian people. I strongly reject that. Karadžić's guilt is his own, not the guilt of his community. Others will say that Karadžić is a hero and that he defended his people. This trial has proven otherwise. Karadžić will go down in history as a war criminal responsible for terrible human suffering. Responsible officials should therefore promote acceptance of the facts established at this trial as a basis for reconciliation. Denial of crimes and glorification of war criminals should not be tolerated. 

There must be respect and tribute to all victims, both for what they endured and for their courage in fighting for accountability. It is indisputable that victims from all communities are still waiting for the justice they deserve. My Office is committed to providing support to national courts, which now bear the responsibility to continue the process of delivering justice. 

We express our gratitude to the international community for its support of our work. We appeal to the United Nations and its member states to continue providing support to national prosecutors in the former Yugoslavia who are striving for more justice for more victims.