Denial of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity, as well as glorification of those who have committed such crimes, simultaneously feeds on and strengthens contested narratives about the past, the present and the future, said UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, commenting on the genocide denial ban that international envoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina imposed last week through law changes.
Nderitu reiterated her messages during a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, connected to the imperative of addressing the past as essential to rebuilding trust and build a future in “which there is no space for denial of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity, and in which the suffering of all victims is recognized, no collective guilt is attributed and there is no glorification of crimes committed by any perpetrator.”
She warned that denial of genocide and other war crimes as well as glorification of war criminals “feeds on and strengthens the contested narratives about the past, the present and the future. It turns perpetrators and war criminals into heroes.”
“It sows fear, mistrust and hate. It divides people, communities and States. It does not allow for healing and empathy. It also undermines the judicial decisions that have been made and therefore undermines justice. This is to the contrary of what societies which have experienced conflict and have a legacy of atrocity crimes require. It is unacceptable and must be condemned.”
Nderitu stressed that crimes are committed by individuals and not groups, which is why criminal accountability and court adjudication of criminal allegations is important.
“Working for individual accountability and countering allegations of collective guilt are parallel processes on the road towards healing and trust-building in post-conflict societies,” said the Special Adviser.
She said she was honoured to pay her respects to all victims of conflict during her BiH visit and to learn the positive examples of municipalities where such efforts are done jointly, by all communities together.
The Special Adviser called on all those in positions of responsibility at the State level to do their part in working together to promote an agenda based on the prioritization of such healing and trust-building needs.
“Political, religious and community leaders, educators as well as the media have a responsibility to lead the way towards constructive dialogue based on trust, respect and dignity. In pursuing this path, they will continue to have my full support,” she said.
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