IRMCT responds to Sarajevo Institute regarding Ratko Mladic remains

The Institute emphasized a crucial distinction highlighted in the official reply. While family burial rights dictate the initial return of the body, the Mechanism holds no jurisdiction over subsequent burial locations or state ceremonies. The Institute stated that the core issue remains the decision of Serbian state institutions to grant highest state and military honors to a convicted perpetrator of genocide.

"We consider particularly significant the part of the response in which the Mechanism directly addresses the issue of victims and the glorification of persons finally convicted of international crimes," the Institute stated. Citing United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Registrar expressed solidarity with victims, survivors, and families, while condemning actions that glorify those convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The Sarajevo Institute noted that the response confirms the handover followed standard legal practice and human rights obligations. Nonetheless, the Institute stressed that the transport, commemoration, and funeral arrangements have transformed into a state and military ceremonial of posthumous glorification. The organization intends to continue insisting on established factual records, victim dignity, and a clear institutional rejection of any form of genocide denial, relativization, or glorification.