Schmidt seeks persecution of Srebrenica genocide deniers

The office of the high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina has called on officials to continue prosecuting those responsible for denying the genocide and honour of war criminals, as the state marks the 28th anniversary of the murder of more than 8,000 Bosnian Serb men and boys in Srebrenica.

Through a message to politicians in Republika Srpska ʹ Serbian entity, senior representative Christian Schmidt said his office is willing to use all means to help Bosnia file charges against genocide deniers.

The “It is clear that we should have decisive steps by the prosecution”, Schmidt said during the summits in Potocari, where the burial of genocide victims lies.

The “those who deny genocide, wherever they live or are found, are committing criminal acts because by law, made two years ago by my predecessor, Valentin Inzko, the denial of genocide is reportedly a criminal offence. Remember that this law applies throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina”, he warned.

The killings in Srebrenica were only an episode of the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia that left nearly 100,000 people dead. The events in Srebrenica are known as genocide by two UN courts.

Serbia's officials and Serbian officials in Bosnia, including current leader of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, are refusing to admit that genocide has occurred in Srebrenica.

During the 11 July ceremony, the mortar remains of 30 victims were buried. Their remains were found in mass graves east of Bosnia.