Why are the competent institutions silent on the glorification of the pseudo-state of Herceg-Bosna?

(Patria) - The BiH public increasingly asks the question - why are the competent institutions silent on the constant promotion of the pseudo-state of Herceg-Bosna, which was declared by the Hague Tribunal as a criminal entity established through a joint criminal enterprise, writes the portal Negatori genocida.

The leadership of this entity was sentenced to a total of 111 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity, yet the marking of territories with its symbols and the glorification of convicted criminals continue to be present in the public space.

Symbols of Herceg-Bosna

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in areas with a majority Croat population, markings favoring only one nation are noticeable.

Crosses and flags are common, but the display of flags of the so-called Herceg-Bosna, a para-state declared responsible for crimes against Bosniaks, is problematic.

Graffiti with inscriptions glorifying war criminals, such as Dario Kordić and Slobodan Praljak, as well as symbols of Herceg-Bosna, are particularly visible on the route from Livno to Mostar.


Mural of the criminal Praljak in a public space in Neum

Glorification on Social Media

The problem is further spreading through social media, where numerous pages with names like "Hrvati Herceg-Bosne" (Croats of Herceg-Bosna) and "Herceg-Bosna Vitez" openly promote this para-state and convicted war criminals.

These pages often publish content that glorifies crimes and symbols of the Nazi Independent State of Croatia (NDH), further inciting inter-ethnic hatred.

The administrators of these pages remain unidentified, while their content spreads unhindered.

Provocations in Public

One of the recent examples was the placement of the Herceg-Bosna flag in a public space in the village of Kruščica near Vitez, where the majority of the population is Bosniak. The locals perceived this act as an open provocation.


Flag of the so-called Herceg-Bosna in a public space in Vitez

Another case was recorded in Donja Blatnica near Čitluk, where a roundabout was decorated with a checkerboard pattern, and it was announced on social media that other roundabouts throughout the so-called Herceg-Bosna would be decorated with the same symbols.


Roundabout in Donja Blatnica - Čitluk

Where are the reactions from the authorities?

The question arises as to who benefits from such marking of territories with symbols under which heinous war crimes were committed, and why cantonal, entity, and state-level prosecutor's offices are not reacting?

According to the criminal codes of the Federation of BiH and Bosnia and Herzegovina, glorifying war criminals and spreading inter-ethnic hatred are clearly defined criminal offenses, but sanctions for these violations are rarely or never enforced.


Post from a Facebook page glorifying the criminal Kordić

Call to Action

This is not the first, and likely not the last, time the public is calling for an urgent reaction from the competent institutions. Ignoring these problems only deepens inter-ethnic divisions and damages the already fragile peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prosecutor's offices and other competent authorities are expected to take concrete steps in prosecuting such cases and prevent further promotion of war ideologies and their perpetrators.

It is time for institutions to show that the law and justice are the same for everyone, in order to prevent the spread of hatred and protect social harmony in Bosnia and Herzegovina.