DOPRINOS HAŠKIH PRESUDA PROCESU POMIRENJA U BIH / CONTRIBUTION OF THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL VERDICTS TO THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

The paper discusses the impact of Hague Tribunal verdicts on the process of reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I analyze the original documents of Hague Accusations for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and final verdicts with imposed sentences. As an example I take some elements of the indictment and the verdict to Slobodan Milošević, Radovan Karadžić, Ratko Mladić, Jadranko Prlić and others, and Rasim Delić. After researching the documents, I show how brutal facts of war crimes mutually relate to the interpretation of these facts by the public (international and domestic) and the political instrumentalization of those facts that goes from distortion to negation of factual events. However, research shows that the process of reconciliation and restoration of confidence is strongly influenced by the truth that Hague tribunal determines in the process of punishing those responsible for crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These verdicts are based on verified facts, and not feelings and emotions. These facts are the basis of the real truth about the war and the events that took place in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also wider. In conclusion, I suggest that the process of reconciliation must be followed by a new policy that leaves the war in the past and turns to the future, and which
backs the trust in coexistence and respects the rights of citizens throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.