“Bljesak” Crimes Must Be Prosecuted

1. 5. 2010. Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Croatia and My Initiative activist network marked the 15th anniversary of the crimes committed during the operation “Bljesak” (Flash), in which tens of civilians had been killed and violations of the laws and customs of war noted on a number of occasions.

At 8 AM this morning the Youth Initiative for Human Rights’ activists implemented the action in front of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Croatia (DORH). They drew contours of human bodies with chalk so as to warn of the fact that the crimes perpetrated 15 years ago today have still not been prosecuted.

Activists were soon interrupted and DORH security called the police. The police identified the activists and released them.

YIHR stated that it was important for institutions of the likes of DORH to step away from political perspective and work toward prosecuting all crimes, regardless of who had committed them over whom. “The only way to bring about social justice is to take a more professional approach to the task of issuing indictments for war crimes. War crimes indictments must not be issued offhandedly, being wary of political perception of a case. War crimes must be addressed fully independently” – quotes YIHR statement.

YIHR has thus once again warned of the need to establish a separate office of the war crimes prosecutor, since insufficient effectiveness of the current institutional framework is obvious.

YIHR also underscored “the importance of talking about victims apropos such anniversaries and reunions. Unilateral interpretations of events from the recent past are inaccurate, unfair and only serve to further deepen divisions in the society.”