Described as “one of
perhaps the most important events” for bilateral relations by Serbian Foreign
Minister Ivica Dacic, the UN’s International Court of Justice, known as ICJ,
has ruled that Serbia and Croatia neither committed acts of genocide during the
Croatian war of secession from Yugoslavia. He told reporters it could, “put an
end to both sides’ fight to prove who the worst criminal is”, and rather,
alleviate the tension. The verdict was delivered on February 3 by Court
President Peter Tomka in the landmark case in The Hague. The case was
originally brought to court in 1999 by Zagreb, asking for Belgrade to pay
compensation for crimes during the war. This case accused Serbs of targeting
ethnic Croats in the town of Vukovar and its surroundings in 1991. Filing its
countersuit in 2010, Serbia stated that ethnic Serbs were expelled when Croatia
launched an operation to retake territory captured by Serbs. Tomka spoke at the
ICJ headquarters saying that many crimes happened during the conflict that
killed nearly 20, 000 people. He stated that both sides, however, practiced
violent acts during the 1991-1995 war, but that neither side provided sufficient
evidence to demonstrate the “specific intent required for acts of genocide.”
After all was said and done by the verdict, Serbian Justice Minister Nikola
Selakovic told journalist in The Hague, “This marks the end of one page on the
past, and I’m convinced we will start a new page on the future, much brighter
and better.”
Genocide is a beyond unfortunate
and catastrophic act that the human species have disappointingly practiced
throughout time. This is seen throughout history and even in the modern 21st
century. This article exemplifies the significance of making sure issues like
war and conflict are reviewed and countries compensate according to the verdict
presented. I am grateful for establishments like the ICJ and its capability to
determine whether a moral action must be taken in response to extreme immoral behavior.
In the article it mentions how the relations between Croatia and Serbia have
blossomed and, after multiple years of turmoil, progress is definitely admired.
http://www.rferl.org/content/un-court-dismisses-croatias-genocide-claim-against-serbia/26827667.html
Jordanna Gisser
February 6, 2015
9:45 PM
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