Srebrenica report: There was neither an individual crime of genocide nor genocide in general

Photo: Tanjug/AP

The report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Sufferings of All Peoples in the Srebrenica Region between 1992 and 1995 has just been published in its entirety on the website of the Commission, that is led by the Israeli historian Gideon Greif.

The 1,036-page report, as well as the conclusions, have been published in Serbian and in English.

"After a thorough investigation by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Sufferings of Serbs in the Srebrenica Region between 1992 and 1995, it is concluded that neither an individual crime of genocide nor genocide in general took place in Srebrenica. Although the Commission does not consider the killings around Srebrenica as genocide, it recognizes the fact that thousands of people (mostly prisoners of war) were killed in the most horrific way and that those responsible for these heinous crimes should be punished," read the report's conclusions published on the Commission's website.

"The Commission sought to attain the truth through an objective examination of the facts in connection with the occurrences from the armed conflict in this area and the application of a non-selective restorative justice process, believing that only in this way could human suffering be placed in context and eventually lead to reconciliation and dialogue," the conclusions state, adding:

"The final report of the Commission should help in facing the past, lead to a strengthening of trust and tolerance among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and assist with the final reconciliation and coexistence of all present and future generations."

The report points out that "the Commission is composed of members selected by virtue of their particular expertise in relevant disciplines, and personal and professional integrity."

"Guided by the premise that scientific and professional research of all important issues and phenomena in our civilization, even the painful and controversial ones, is simply a necessity, as well as by awareness that scientifically documented facts are the best remedy for manipulation, the Commission approached this complex research. Given the complexity and scope of work that was to be completed within a defined deadline, members of the Commission chose their assistants who facilitated their work by dealing with collecting materials, and logistical and technical tasks," the report said.

Beside Greif, other members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Sufferings of All Peoples in the Srebrenica Region between 1992 and 1995 include Professor Walter Manoschek of Austria, Markus Goldbach - one of the leading lawyers in Germany who worked on the trials of German Nazi criminals, Adenrele Shinaba of Nigeria, who is an expert in crime investigation, Professor Marija Djuric, who is considered a leading forensic researcher and is the only Serbian representative, Professor Roger Byard of Australia, also a world-renowned expert in forensic research, Professor Yuki Osa of Japan who has dealt with the conflict in Srebrenica during the last decade, Professors Steven Meyer and Lawrence French of the US, and the late Giuseppe Zaccaria of Italy, who was a media expert and world-renowned journalist.

You can read the Commission's full report here.

(Telegraf.rs)