BiH Genocide victims’ association demands removal of Ratko Mladic murals in Foca and Nevesinje

The association reminded local authorities that under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2021 law banning genocide denial, the glorification of war criminals constitutes a criminal offense.

In its letter to Nevesinje’s municipal company Komus, the association noted that a wall at the former military barracks has been painted with a mural of Mladic, who was sentenced to life in prison by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague for crimes committed during the Bosnian war, including the genocide in Srebrenica.

“This mural, reportedly painted by the ‘War Veterans Association of Nevesinje,’ is a public act of glorifying a convicted war criminal. Such actions spread insecurity among Bosniak returnees to Nevesinje and undermine the dignity and sense of safety of all citizens who wish to live in peace and mutual respect,” the letter stated.

A similar request was sent to Foca’s public company Komunalac, where another Mladic mural is located near a school and the municipal building, in an area where children regularly gather and play.

“The mural depicts Ratko Mladic alongside the words ‘Thanks to your mother,’ thereby glorifying a figure who has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an international tribunal for genocide and other crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such displays generate insecurity, particularly among Bosniak returnees to Foca, and seriously undermine the safety and dignity of citizens,” the association emphasized.

The association also pointed to amendments to Bosnia’s Criminal Code passed in 2021, commonly known as the “Genocide Denial Law,” which criminalize the public approval, denial, gross minimization, or justification of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Article 145a of the Code further prohibits the public glorification of convicted war criminals.