Covic: Grabovica and Srebrenica crimes reminder BiH must confront its past

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 33rd anniversary of the massacre of 33 Croat civilians in Grabovica near Mostar on 8–9 September 1993 by members of the then Army of the Republic of BiH, Covic called for war crimes to be fully investigated, the missing to be found and perpetrators held accountable.

He said he sympathised with every mother whose feelings were repeatedly hurt, including the mothers of Srebrenica victims, adding that BiH's criminal law clearly prohibits glorification of war criminals.

The youngest victim in Grabovica was four-year-old Mladenka Zadro, killed in her mother's arms. The remains of 17 victims have yet to be found and are believed to have been thrown into the Neretva River. No Croats now live in the village.

Five former Army of BiH members have been convicted by courts in BiH, while the Hague-based ICTY convicted no one for the crime and acquitted Army of BiH chief of staff Sefer Halilovic.

Croatia's Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman expressed "deep respect" for the Croat civilians killed in Grabovica, saying remembrance of the victims was a lasting obligation and that the crime must not be forgotten.

High Representative for BiH Louis J. Crishock, who took office in July, also attended the commemoration.