War Crimes Judge Visits Bosnia Concentration Camp

The President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Theodor Meron visited a concentration camp in Bosnia on Wednesday.



At the concentration camp in Celebici village near Konjic city, where prisoners of the Serbian Armed Forces were held during the war in 1992, Meron laid a wreath and met with some of the camp's former victims.



In a statement to the media after visiting the camp, Meron said that he is in Celebici today to honor the victims of the brutal and horrific torture which was committed 20 years ago.



"Celebici Barracks is now part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces. But this barracks is a reminder of the tragic past, and, at the same time, it is a symbol of the power of the people living in Bosnia and an indication of their unity in the common interest. I feel very emotional here," Meron said. "I want to honour every single victim of crimes committed here, and in this entire region, regardless of their ethnicity," he added.



Meron added that he hopes that the work of the tribunal will contribute to the strong rule of law, so that the pain experienced in the concentration camp will never be seen again.



"I am aware that some of the Tribunal's acquittals have generated dissatisfaction among the victims."said Meron.



"Our biggest achievement is that we have shown that after half a century of impunity in terms of international criminal justice, that fair international trials are possible,"said Meron.



"I find it crucial that the Tribunal has struck a blow against the concept of collective guilt that has, in the past, fostered vicious circles of hatred and vengeance. The tribunal has worked against this practice by focusing on individuals charged with specific crimes and considering whether their guilt has been established beyond reasonable doubt," Meron insisted.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina