OSCE Mission calls on Republika Srpska to implement decision on Srebrenica case
(Dnevni Avaz)Some 12,000 survivors, relatives of victims, diplomats and local officials gathered on 11 July 2003 to commemorate the Srebrenica atrocity and bury 282 of the identified victims. (Dnevni Avaz) Photo details
SARAJEVO, 11 July 2003 - On 11 July, the anniversary of the Srebrenica tragedy, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on Republika Srpska authorities to take their stated commitment to human rights seriously and to take immediate steps to implement the Human Rights Chamber Decision on the Ferida Selimovic and others vs. Republika Srpska (Srebrenica case).
The OSCE Mission notes with concern that the authorities of Republika Srpska (RS) have not taken sufficient steps to implement the Human Rights Chamber (HRC) Decision on Srebrenica issued on 7 March this year. The Mission reminds the RS authorities of their obligation to disclose immediately all information relevant to establishing the fate and whereabouts of about 7,000 Srebrenica victims, including the location of mass graves, and to conduct an investigation into the events at Srebrenica and publish its findings, as ordered in the HRC Decision. They must also pay compensation for the collective benefit of all applicants and the families of Srebrenica victims, in the form of a lump sum of 2 million KM (approx. 1.05 million euros) to the Foundation of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery. The RS must then make four additional payments of 500,000 KM (aprox. 265,000 euros) each in the next four years to the same Foundation.
In this case, brought by 49 immediate relatives of the missing persons who disappeared from Srebrenica after 11 July 1995, the Chamber found that the RS had "egregiously" violated the European Convention of Human Rights. The Chamber noted that the RS authorities were directly involved in the disappearances and the destruction of evidence and have not undertaken any prosecution of the persons responsible, in breach of international law.
The OSCE Mission urges the RS Government to fulfil its obligations by investigating and prosecuting those responsible and by awarding compensation to relatives and dependants left behind, who are still unable to rebuild their lives.
The OSCE Mission notes with concern that the authorities of Republika Srpska (RS) have not taken sufficient steps to implement the Human Rights Chamber (HRC) Decision on Srebrenica issued on 7 March this year. The Mission reminds the RS authorities of their obligation to disclose immediately all information relevant to establishing the fate and whereabouts of about 7,000 Srebrenica victims, including the location of mass graves, and to conduct an investigation into the events at Srebrenica and publish its findings, as ordered in the HRC Decision. They must also pay compensation for the collective benefit of all applicants and the families of Srebrenica victims, in the form of a lump sum of 2 million KM (approx. 1.05 million euros) to the Foundation of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery. The RS must then make four additional payments of 500,000 KM (aprox. 265,000 euros) each in the next four years to the same Foundation.
In this case, brought by 49 immediate relatives of the missing persons who disappeared from Srebrenica after 11 July 1995, the Chamber found that the RS had "egregiously" violated the European Convention of Human Rights. The Chamber noted that the RS authorities were directly involved in the disappearances and the destruction of evidence and have not undertaken any prosecution of the persons responsible, in breach of international law.
The OSCE Mission urges the RS Government to fulfil its obligations by investigating and prosecuting those responsible and by awarding compensation to relatives and dependants left behind, who are still unable to rebuild their lives.