The organization for the protection of human rights Amnesty International (AI) today expressed concern that the latest statements of Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor show the absence of political will to investigate and prosecute the crimes committed from 1991 to 1995 by members of the Croatian army.
In a statement, AI expressed concern that such statements reinforce the existing atmosphere of impunity for such crimes.
That organization reminds that on August 5 of this year, the top of the Croatian government gathered in Knin to celebrate the anniversary of Operation Storm, which the Croatian army carried out in Krajina from August to November 1995.
During the operation of that action, as AI reminds, about 200.000 Serbs fled from Krajina, and numerous violations of the human rights of Serbs who remained in that region, murders and torture were recorded.
AI states that at the celebration in Knin, Prime Minister Kosor, congratulating the anniversary of the Storm, sent a special greeting to Generals Anta Gotovina and Mladen Markač, who were sentenced to long prison terms by the Hague Tribunal for crimes in Krajina.
"AI is extremely concerned that such statements attacking the tribunal and glorifying Operation Storm and those held responsible for crimes committed in that operation could send a political message that undermines justice. It could discourage the justice system from investigating and is prosecuting the crimes committed in Operation Storm," the statement said.
At the same time, AI expresses concern about the disproportionately small number of investigations in relation to the number of crimes committed, stating that, according to the Croatian State Prosecutor's Office, only three investigations of crimes committed in Operation Storm are being conducted.
Bonus video:
