War criminals' freedom darkens Srebrenica commemoration

5.23.19pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 6th Jul 2005

The European Parliament debated today the tenth anniversary of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia. London MEP and Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford welcomed Europe-wide plans to commemorate it but insisted there must be more than a ceremony.

Baroness Ludford, member and former vice-president of the European Parliament delegation to the Balkans, said:

"While Europe must recall its own inaction in the prevention of genocide, expulsion and rape, Serbs and Croats must cease their long denial of responsibility for the Balkan wars."

"The recent acknowledgement of the atrocity for the first time by Bosnian Serbs is welcome, but there is no substitute for justice for the victims.

"Their former President Radavan Karadic and army commander General Ratko Mladic must be delivered to the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague (ICTY) to answer charges. I applaud and support the "Srebrenica - a call for Justice" petition to world leaders."

"The EU must keep to its pledge of membership for all the Balkan countries, although that must be subject to fulfilment of conditions including cooperation with ICTY."

Note:

The killing of 8,000 Muslim men and boys following the fall to Serbian forces of the UN safe-haven town in northern Bosnia-Herzegovina were the worst atrocities in Europe since World War II. Many more were driven from their homes or raped. Commemoration events culminate in a 'March of Death-Route to Freedom' walk in honour of the victims. The "Srebrenica - a call for Justice" petition can be signed at http://www.petitiononline.com/srebeni/petition.html