Funeral of Ratko Mladić: UK statement to the OSCE
Deputy Ambassador James Ford underlines that whitewashing Ratko Mladić's crimes represents an affront to international law, and urges governments and political leaders to avoid denial or revisionism of atrocities.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
As a military commander, Ratko Mladić presided over crimes that are among the worst committed in Europe since the Second World War. Mladić was convicted by an independent UN tribunal of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The denial and whitewashing of his crimes is an affront to international law and directly undermines regional stability and trust. Glorification of a convicted war criminal fuels division and is incompatible with reconciliation.
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia was established by the UN Security Council and Serbia is obliged to respect its judgments. As a signatory to the Dayton Peace Agreement, Serbia also has a responsibility to support accountability for serious violations of international law and to contribute constructively to peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.
The UK remains unequivocal that there can be no place for genocide denial or glorification of war criminals. We continue to support international justice, accountability, and respect for the judgments of international tribunals. The thoughts of the UK Government are with Mladić’s victims and their families. They deserve respect, compassion and accountability, not efforts to rewrite proven history. Political leaders, and public institutions have a responsibility to look to the future, not to the past, and to act in ways that support reconciliation.
At a sensitive moment for the Western Balkans, it is vital that all governments and political leaders respect the independence of judicial processes, uphold established facts, and avoid denial or revisionism of atrocities.
The UK remains firmly committed to lasting reconciliation across the Western Balkans. We will continue to work with partners across the region and internationally in support of peace, justice and a secure and prosperous future for all communities.