On a positive note, check out Solidarity Stories – a BIRN series showcasing powerful tales of human compassion and self-sacrifice that crossed ethnic divides during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Follow and read these inspiring stories here: balkaninsight.com/solidarity-s...
A BIRN series telling stories of human compassion and self-sacrifice across the ethnic divides during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
4/ A reset in approach is needed—both from Kosovo and the EU. The EU must shift from being a facilitator to a mediator, with clear consequences for non-compliance and stronger enforcement of agreements. #Diplomacy#EU#Kosovo
3/ Kosovo’s recent actions in Serb-majority areas, like installing ethnic Albanian mayors, have further strained relations with international partners, despite legal legitimacy. Coordination and trust are faltering. #Kosovo#Serbia#RegionalStability
2/ The EU’s strategy of ‘constructive ambiguity,’ allowing parties to interpret agreements as they see fit, has led to divergent outcomes and stagnation. Serbia’s refusal to comply with the Agreement on Normalisation adds to the deadlock. #Diplomacy#Balkans
8/ Despite nearly three decades since the crimes, war crimes prosecution in BiH faces an uphill battle against time, evidence decay, and the sheer volume of unresolved cases. #WarCrimes#BiH#Justice#BIRNBiH
7/ The situation is exacerbated by the legal obstacles preventing extradition of war crime suspects from neighboring countries. International cooperation remains critical but limited, often leaving justice out of reach for many victims.
6/ Smaller courts, such as Trebinje and Livno, report similar issues: war crimes cases arrive with little evidence, often involving unknown perpetrators. Only a handful of cases have led to indictments, while most remain unresolved due to insufficient evidence and witness inaccessibility.
5/ Witness testimonies are a primary challenge—many have passed away or relocated, and the accuracy of their testimonies after so many years is uncertain. Prosecutors are increasingly relying on dwindling investigative resources and cooperation.
4/ In Goražde, one war crimes indictment has been raised in three years, while the number of unknown-perpetrator cases has grown from 15 to 21. Witnesses and evidence remain scarce, hindering progress.