ICJ genocide ruling likely to be “balanced”

ICJ genocide ruling likely to be “balanced”

The judges will on Monday announce whether they have accepted or rejected Bosnian claims that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) along with the Serb entity in Bosnia committed genocide over Bosnian citizens.

Speculation in both countries and abroad is rife that the Hague-based International Court of Justice has sought to reach a solution that would satisfy both sides and help stabilize the region.

Some reports suggested that the court might rule that genocide took place in Srebrenica only, seeking Serbia’s responsibility for the crime in its perceived unwillingness to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Analyst Milan Nikolić says the verdict could put an end to the conflict between Serbia and Bosnia only if it is just.

“We understand that Bosniaks expect to be treated exclusively as victims, while Serbs on the other hand expect to have their innocence confirmed. The fact is that there are no  innocent parties in Bosnia, all sides have committed crimes, some are less the victim, some more, and if the verdict brings with it a balanced interpretation of events, then perhaps that could serve as a foundation for building trust in the future”, Nikolić told B92.

The ICJ rulings cannot be appealed, so the verdict about to be announced on Monday will bring an end to the process that took 14 years to conclude.