Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide: 2023 also without justice for victims!

(Patria) - The fact is that our country, from the war to this day, has been permanently going through very difficult trials, trials that should at least serve as a guide on how we should solve some of the key problems.

This past year has shown all the inconsistency and devastating results in the fight against perpetrators of war crimes. The judiciary in Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yielded the results we expected.

The Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, this year as in previous years, pointed out the shocking facts:

1. The strategy for prosecuting war crimes has failed.
2. Most war criminals have found refuge in neighboring countries.
3. Attacks on returnees continue without anyone being held accountable.
4. Convicted war criminals from the Hague Tribunal are returning as heroes.
5. The law prohibiting the denial of genocide is a dead letter.
6. There is no criminal record for the verdicts of the Hague Tribunal in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
7. Victims and witnesses are exposed to constant pressure from the accused, their friends, and sometimes even the legal teams themselves.
8. The state has done nothing to protect the victims.
9. Victims of war crimes are the only category that emerged from the war without any legal solution that would guarantee them dignity; you can only resolve your rights (as victims) if you are close to the ruling political elite.

"These are just some of the key problems we are facing and highlighting. Despite the fact that victims and witnesses are in a devastating position, thanks to certain officials, and especially the media, through which our appeals and activities reach the public, we manage to inform the public about the activities we are undertaking," the statement reads.

It adds: "The year has passed, victims and witnesses have not received the satisfaction they deserve, but we have not given up, just as we have not given up many times before. We continue our fight in 2024 with a focus on the international factor in Bosnia and Herzegovina".

We wish everyone a successful New Year 2024, the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide conveys.