Ratko Mladic has died, but his legacy lives on

The death of Ratko Mladic in a prison in The Hague, where he was serving a life sentence imposed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the massacre and genocide in Srebrenica, prompts us to reflect once more on that terrible event – the most horrific of those that punctuated the wars following the break-up of the Yugoslav Federation. Serbia viewed that transformation as an attack on its national sovereignty. This created a space for political and military leaders who felt entrusted with a task that brooked no hesitation. In particular, the secession of Bosnia and Herzegovina was regarded as an act of treason, and the Muslim population as an enemy to be destroyed. This led to the infamous Srebrenica massacre, which took place, moreover, in full view of the international peacekeeping forces – in this case, Dutch troops – who did not lift a finger.

The subsequent trials, made possible when a change of government in Serbia allowed the defendants to be handed over to the Court, resulted in exemplary sentences and brought to light, in detail, the inhuman nature of the actions carried out by Serbian forces. Yet amongst a section of the population, a sort of reticence remains – a tendency to downplay the events, which has also manifested itself on the various anniversaries of the massacre. Unfortunately, though it is painful to admit, it was not only Mladić and Milošević who harboured hostility bordering on hatred and a desire for destruction towards the ethnic, national or religious groups that challenged Serbian centrality and hegemony in the region. Very large sections of the population also shared those sentiments: at the time, if not in the majority, then at least widely; today, amongst minority groups which nevertheless retain a presence. To reflect on the executioner of Srebrenica – whose face also appears in a famous mural in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, with his gaze fixed on Bosnia and Herzegovina – today means reflecting on the impulses that continue to stir societies, even in Europe. Societies which, once physically disarmed, must also be disarmed culturally. It is more difficult, but it remains absolutely necessary, even today.