War criminal and former General of the Army of Republika Srpska Zdravko Tolimir died in Hague
Tolimir participated in a joint criminal enterprise of the political, military and police leadership entities Republic of Srpska, whose aims were mass killings and forced removal of Bosniaks from Srebrenica, or in eastern B&H. The Tolimir verdict established there were mass killings of Bosniaks of Srebrenica, also expulsion, abuse and suffering of civilians constituting genocide, because they were aimed at the destruction of Bosniak population. Genocide in Eastern B&H took place as planned “Directive 7”, signed by the President of the Republic of Srpska entity Radovan Karadzic, who is charged with genocide. This plan was implemented by the commanders of the Army of the Republic of Srpska entities including Tolimir in his intelligence and security sector of the Main Staff. Directive 7 according to the conclusions of the Trial Chamber had the goal of creating impossible conditions in the enclaves, including the stopping of humanitarian aid. Tolimir was conducted by an order of the President of the entity Republika Srpska Radovan Karadzic and General Ratko Mladic, (accused of war crimes and genocide) that all Bosniaks men from Srebrenica must be executed. The Tolimir’s judgment vas a strong support to the truth about the aggression against the Republic of B&H and genocide against its citizens, especially Bosniaks, and strong support for justice for the victims of these monstrous crimes, unimaginable in the era of democracy, protection of human rights and freedoms. This judgment was significant for future generations that only the truth and justice can build better the B&H, and therefore the European and worldwide future. At the same time the judgments had a strong voice and instruction to aggressors against the Republic of B&H that the crime and deter to the state and its citizens is not worth it. Despite the genocide conviction, Tolimir was considered a hero among Bosnian Serbs. This does not build the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which truth and justice have an important place.
Genocide, a state-sponsored crime intended to destroy in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group has far-reaching consequences and effects on survivors, future generations and the society as a whole. In the period between 1992 and 1995, the world watched how the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a country known for its long tradition of diversity, multiculturalism and inclusiveness was subjected to a war of aggression. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Croatia, aside from violating international security and peace, waged the war of aggression and perpetrated the crimes committed in Bosnia against its people. The crimes committed, in all occupied territories in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and cities under siege, included mass individual and group torture and killings as well as other grave violations of crimes against humanity, international peace and international law, including the crime of genocide.
Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada