Srebrenica victims' associations request peaceful protest to counter planned rally supporting war criminal Ratko Mladic

The protest was initiated in response to announcements that a group of citizens intended to gather in Srebrenica to voice support for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, who passed away days prior. Organizers aim to peacefully and with dignity highlight the unacceptability of public glorification and backing of convicted war criminals, actions that are also punishable under the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tabakovic emphasized that the demonstration seeks to convey that Srebrenica belongs to all its residents and to ensure the voice of truth is heard, asserting that Mladic is a war criminal rather than a hero. While noting that neighbors cannot be forbidden from personal sentiments, organizers stressed that public rallies glorifying figures of his background remain entirely unacceptable.

Around 250 members from across the country are expected to attend under the coordination of the associations "Movement of Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Zepa," "Women of Srebrenica," "Mothers of Srebrenica," and "Women of Podrinje."

Former commander of the Republika Srpska Army Ratko Mladic died on Thursday, August 27, at the age of 85 in The Hague. In June 2021, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals handed down a final life sentence for genocide in Srebrenica, the terrorising of Sarajevo citizens, persecutions, and other grave war crimes.