Genocide Victim Groups Condemn Carl Bildt's Role in BiH Discussions
Two associations representing genocide victims, the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and the Movement of Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves, have strongly criticized Carl Bildt. They oppose his involvement in current talks about Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) future and the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
The groups state that Bildt carries a heavy moral burden from July 1995. This was when the Srebrenica genocide began. On July 14, 1995, Bildt met Slobodan Milošević in Belgrade. He did nothing effective to stop the massacre.
Evidence from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) supports these claims. During a 2010 trial, Bildt admitted that the "cleansing of enclaves could be foreseen." He understood that revenge killings were likely. Furthermore, former BiH Ambassador Muhamed Šaćirbegović testified that Bildt refused to approve air strikes to defend Srebrenica, Žepa, and Goražde. The associations also claim Bildt tried to minimize the crimes and equate victims with aggressors.
The victim groups emphasize that they are not commenting on the choice of a new High Representative or the OHR's existence. Their concern is about individuals like Bildt, who they believe are morally unfit to shape BiH's destiny. They ask local and international media, non-governmental organizations, and BiH officials to completely boycott and reject any proposals or comments from Carl Bildt. Allowing him to influence BiH's political transition would be an insult to genocide victims. The statement was signed by Murat Tahirović and Munira Subašić.
