On the occasion of the visit by Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) calls for Germany’s clear support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Society for Threatened Peoples calls on Steinmeier to
- firmly reject the Republika Srpska’s secessionist policy,
- clearly oppose any weakening of the Office of the High Representative, and
- advocate for a comprehensive investigation into the so-called “Sarajevo Safari.”
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is once again in a dangerous phase. Weakening international protection mechanisms sends a disastrous signal to those forces in the country that have been undermining the state order for years, threatening secession, denying the genocide, and glorifying convicted war criminals. The upcoming election of a new High Representative is of particular importance in this regard,” explains Belma Zulčić, Director of the Society for Threatened Peoples – Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The STP therefore calls on Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to take a clear stand against any weakening of the Office of the High Representative and to support only a candidate who is prepared to consistently defend the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Dayton Agreement, and the rights of war victims against separatist attacks. Following Christian Schmidt’s announced resignation, the office must not be gutted.
In the STP’s view, another key focus of the discussion between Bećirović and Steinmeier must be the investigation into the so-called “Sarajevo Safari.” This concerns the suspicion that foreign nationals may have shot at civilians for payment during the siege of Sarajevo. Several European countries have already launched investigations or inquiries. Germany, too, must thoroughly examine any possible links to German participants. The STP calls on Federal President Steinmeier to advocate for a comprehensive investigation into the so-called “Sarajevo Safari.”
“The genocide in Srebrenica, the siege of Sarajevo, concentration camps, forced displacement, sexual violence, and the systematic persecution of the non-Serb population must not be treated as a closed chapter of the past. As long as perpetrators, accomplices, and those who profited politically from war crimes remain unpunished or are even rehabilitated, peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains vulnerable,” said Zulčić.
According to the STP, Germany bears a special historical, political, and moral responsibility toward Bosnia and Herzegovina and the victims of the war. Its own history gives rise to the duty to clearly name genocide, ethnic expulsion, war crimes, and their denial. This responsibility also applies to Srebrenica, Prijedor, Foča, Višegrad, Sarajevo, and all places where people were persecuted, expelled, raped, or murdered because of their origin, religion, or identity. Germany must not limit remembrance to commemorative speeches but must translate it into concrete policy: by supporting the victims, consistently prosecuting perpetrators, safeguarding the truth, strengthening the Bosnian state, and imposing clear sanctions against those who deny genocide and glorify war criminals.
You can reach Belma Zulčić at gfbv_sa@bih.net.ba or (+387) 61 220 883 or (+387) 33 213 707.
This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.