Victims’ groups to IRMCT president: “Life sentence for Mladic is the minimum of justice and must be served”

Mladic’s lawyers have filed an urgent motion with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals seeking his provisional or early release, arguing that the 84-year-old is in a state of severe and irreversible medical decline. The defence says he suffered a serious neurological incident marked by loss of speech and difficulty swallowing, and is requesting transfer to a specialized hospital or hospice, claiming the detention facility in The Hague cannot provide adequate care.

In response, several victims’ associations - including groups representing survivors of the Srebrenica genocide - sent a formal letter to the President of the Mechanism, Graciela Gatti Santana.

They “strongly oppose” the request, arguing that similar motions have been filed repeatedly since Mladic was brought before international justice and have already been rejected.

“The fact that the defence offers alternatives - provisional or early release - shows this is not a matter of necessity, but a legal strategy,” the associations said, questioning claims that his condition requires immediate release.

They also challenged the assertion that Mladic would receive better treatment in Serbia, stressing that the Mechanism is obliged to provide adequate medical care under international standards. Claims that such care is insufficient, they said, must be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

The associations stressed that Mladic was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and that his life sentence represents “the minimum of justice” for victims and their families.

They warned that releasing him would undermine the finality of judgments, retraumatize survivors and weaken confidence in international justice.

“While there is talk of the dignity of the convicted, the dignity of the victims must not be forgotten,” the statement said.

“Justice must remain consistent. The sentence must be served.”

The IRMCT has not yet announced when it will rule on the defence request.