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Here's what they thought about sending Mladic.
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsProgressive9/8/2026

Here's what they thought about sending Mladic.

Ursula von der Leyen, predsjednica Europske komisije, kritikovala je službenu podršku i prisustvo srpskih dužnosnika na pogrebu Ratka Mladića, bivšeg zapovjednika Vojske Republike Srpske, smatrajući ga ratnim zločinicem koji je bio osuđen za genocid u Srebrenici. Njezina objava na Twitteru naglašavala je šokantan prikaz pogreba i opominjala na nedostatak priznanja zločina u prošlosti. I predsjednik Europskog vijeća António Costa objavio je identičnu poruku. U skladu s tim, razmatra se mogućnost da von der Leyen ne posjeti Srbiju tokom svoje turneje po zapadnom Balkanu, jer bi taj posjet bio blizu Mladićeve pogrebnice, što bi moglo utjecati na njeno ponašanje. Glasnogovornica Komisije Paula Pinho napomenula je da program još nije završen i da se još uvijek razmišlja o uključenju svih zemalja regije.

A group of 23 European Parliament members has called on the European Commission to reconsider Serbia's accession negotiations, citing concerns over the country's handling of figures condemned for war crimes and genocide. The request comes after recent statements by Serbian officials regarding the death of General Ratko Mladić, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for war crimes and genocide. The members, representing four major political groups within the Parliament, sent a letter to Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, urging the suspension or freezing of Serbia's accession process until the government clearly rejects the glorification of individuals found guilty of such crimes. The letter, initiated by Czech MEP Ondřej Kolář of the European People's Party (EPP), was signed by seven Croatian MPs including Gordan Bosančić (Greens), Nikolina Brnjac (EPP), Sunčana Glavak (EPP), Karlo Ressler (EPP), Tomislav Sokol (EPP), Marko Vešligaj (S&D), and Željana Zovko (EPP). They emphasized that Serbia should not receive further concessions regarding its approach to the Schengen area unless it demonstrates adherence to fundamental political, legal, and moral principles underpinning European integration. The signatories expressed serious concern over recent statements made by Serbian government representatives regarding the death of Mladić, noting that a country seeking EU membership cannot honor such a person during their lifetime or after their death, as it contradicts both the foundational values of the European Union and basic human morality. They argued that celebrating brutality not only disgraces victims but also directly threatens fragile stability and reconciliation processes in the Western Balkans. Serbia still needs to overcome nationalist narratives contributing to ongoing tensions in the region, according to the letter. Reactions to the funeral of Mladić have been mixed. European Commission spokesperson Paulino Pinho stated that the funeral did not take place with official honors despite the presence of military personnel, members of the Serbian government, and national institutions. However, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia disagreed with this assessment and urged the European Commission to hold the Serbian government accountable for its actions. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa issued identical statements condemning the funeral, emphasizing that the images from the ceremony were shocking and that Mladić was responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Both leaders expressed solidarity with the victims of crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia. In response to these developments, Plenković noted that he had spoken with his permanent representative to urge them to contact the offices of the Commission President and the Council President. He acknowledged that all parties had reacted today, which was positive, but added that they should have done so earlier. International media outlets such as Reuters and the New York Times highlighted the significance of Mladić's funeral, noting that it was one of the largest public ceremonies in Serbia since the fall of communism in 1990. These reports underscored the continued support for Mladić among some segments of the Serbian population, despite his convictions for war crimes. The Mothers of Srebrenica association strongly condemned the resurgence of Chetnik ideology following messages from fans of Red Star and Partizan football clubs that praised Mladić. They criticized the direct broadcast of the commemoration of Mladić's death from Belgrade on the Radio-television of the Republic of Srpska (RTRS), stating that the content honoring a convicted war criminal was transmitted to the wider public without appropriate editorial context or reference to judicial findings. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed concern over the broadcast, calling on the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to assess whether RTRS violated programming rules. The European Commission has yet to confirm whether President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Serbia during her traditional tour of the Western Balkans later this month. A high-ranking Commission official told Radio Free Europe that avoiding Serbia is a possibility being considered, though no final decision has been made. The European enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, previously canceled her planned visit to Belgrade, stating that the glorification of Mladić after his death is incompatible with the values underlying Serbia's path toward EU membership. Some members of the European Parliament have already called for von der Leyen to skip visiting Serbia this time, while academics from Serbia requested that the visit be postponed until after upcoming elections to avoid sending a message of support for the current government.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 5 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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6 reports

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicProgressiveFactual 92Objective 809/8/2026
MEPs call on the EU to take action to ensure that all EU citizens are able to vote in elections.

Grupe od 23 članova Europskog parlamenta, uključujući članove EPP, S&D, Renew i Zelenih, zahtijevali su od Europske komisije da razmotri suspenziju pristupnog procesa Srbiji dok se srpske vlasti nedvosmisleno ne odreknu veličanja osuđenih za ratne zločine i genocid. Pitanje je podignuto na iniciativu češkog zastupnika Ondřeja Kolářa, uz podršku sedam hrvatskih zastupnika. U pismu se naglašava kritika prema nedavnim izjavama srpske vlade o smrti Ratka Mladića, koji je osuđen na doživotni zatvor. Potpisnici ističu da slavljenje takvih ličnosti protivi se temeljnim vrijednostima Europske unije i ljudskom moralu, te mogu izazvati neposrednu prijetnju stabilnosti i procesu pomirenja na zapadnom Balkanu.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikl koristi opsesivno ponavljanje termina poput 'veličanje', 'genocid' i 'ratne zločine' kako bi stvorio emocionalnu reakciju protiv Srbije. Kritika je usmjerena prema političkim vlasnicima i državama koje se smatraju nepravilnim, što pokazuje levičarski okvir. Istraživači su naglašeni kao 'potp.

Why factuality (92): The article accurately reports on the formal request by MEPs to suspend Serbia's accession process due to the glorification of Ratko Mladić. It cites specific political groups and individuals involved, providing a clear and factual account of the EU's position. The content aligns closely with the pr

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone when presenting the formal request by MEPs, though it highlights the EU's concerns about Serbia's actions. It avoids taking sides and focuses on the procedural aspects of the request, thus maintaining a higher level of objectivity compared to the previous article

tportal logotportalIndependentProgressiveFactual 88Objective 759/8/2026
European politicians are waking up around Mladic, Plenkovic: 'They should have done it yesterday'

Premijer Hrvatske Andrej Plenković osudio je malkice reakcije Europske komisije na sprovod Ratka Mladića u Srbiji, nakon što su u utorak pristupili s jačim osudama. Uključujući predsjednica Komisije Ursula von der Leyen i predsjednik Vijeća EU Antonio Costa, koji su opisali prizore sprovoda kao šokantne i naglasili potrebu za suočavanjem s prošlosti. Plenković je bio zadovoljan s novim reakcijama, ali je istaknuo da su trebale biti prije. Također, BiH je označila dvojicu srpskih diplomatata kao nepoželjne, dok je Velika Britanija pozvala srbijanskog otpravnika poslova na razgovor. Međutim, međunarodni novinari, poput Reuters-a, su već u ponedjeljak upozorili na Mladiće kao jednog od najvećih javnih pobornika ratnog zločinca.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikl koristi okvir koji naglašava kritiku prema Srbiji i njezinim političkim liderima za dopustanje sprovoda Mladića, što pokazuje levi sklon. Naglašava se globalna vrednovanja i pritisk između međunarodnih agencija, dok su lokalni političari opisani kao sporosudni. Iako su svi strane uključeni, k

Why factuality (88): This article provides detailed information about the European Parliament's response to the funeral, including statements by Premier Plenković and the reactions of EU leaders like von der Leyen and Costa. It accurately reflects the political discourse and the concerns raised by EU officials regarding

Why objectivity (75): While the article presents facts clearly, it leans towards a critical view of Serbia, emphasizing the EU's concern over the state funeral. Although it includes quotes from multiple sources, the overall narrative frames Serbia's actions negatively, showing some bias despite the factual reporting.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 759/7/2026
Mothers of Srebrenica condemned the Chetnik ideology for glorifying Mladic

Udruženje 'Majke Srebrenice' oštre je kritikovalo poruke navijača Crvene zvezde i Partizana koji su veličali ratnog zločinca Ratka Mladića, uzaludno aludirajući na njegovu zapovijed 'Pravac Potočari' iz 1995. godine, koja je dovela do genocida u Srebrenici. Kritiku su podupreti i službenici Misije OESS-a u BiH, koji su osudili prijenos komemoracije Mladića iz Beograda na Radio-televiziji Republike Srpske (RTRS). OESS je naglasio potrebu za odgovarajućim kontekstom i sudskim činjenicama pri prenose sličnih poruka, te je pozvao regulacionu agenciju da procijeni eventualne prekršaje.

Bias read (Progressive): Artikl koristi opušteni ton i izraze poput 'veličanje ratnog zločinca', 'prizivanje genocida' i 'četnička ideologija', što pokazuje tendenciju ka levičanskom gledištu. Kritika prema RTRS-u i poziv na međunarodnu zajednicu sugerira stvaranje povratne veze protiv srpske političke elite, što je tipično

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the actions and statements of the Mothers of Srebrenica and the OSCE mission regarding the glorification of Ratko Mladić by fans during a football match. It references specific events such as the display of Mladić’s photo and the 'Pravac Potočari' slogan, aligning with

Why objectivity (75): The tone is strongly critical of the glorification of Mladić and the associated nationalist ideology, which reflects a clear stance against such behavior. While this is reasonable given the context, it may be seen as emotionally charged rather than purely objective.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicProgressiveFactual 85Objective 759/7/2026
Mothers of Srebrenica condemned the Chetnik ideology for glorifying Mladic

U Beogradu su navijači dvojice nogometnih kluba, Crvena zvezda i Partizan, veličali ratnog zločinca Ratka Mladića, što je izazvalo oštre kritike od Udruženja majki Srebrenice. Ova organizacija smatra da su takvi poruci dio četničke ideologije i opominje da će više ne dozvoljavati takvu propagandu u Potočarima, gdje se nalazi spomenik žrtava genocida. Kritiku su poduzeli i članovi misije OESS-a u Bosni i Hercegovini, koji su osudili prenos komemoracije Mladića na Radio-televiziji Republike Srpske (RTRS), uz naglasavanje da je sadržaj pripremljen bez odgovarajućeg konteksta i bez reference na sudsku ocjenu njegovih zločina. OESS je pozvao regulacionu agenciju BiH da procijeni je li RTRS prekršio programsko pravila.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of fans as promoting 'chetnik ideology' and criticizes the glorification of a war criminal, which aligns with left-leaning perspectives that emphasize human rights, historical accountability, and condemnation of nationalist extremism. The emphasis on the moral and法律责任(

Why factuality (85): This article mirrors the content of the first article, reporting the same facts about the Mothers of Srebrenica and the OSCE mission's criticism. It includes similar details about the football match, the 'Pravac Potočari' reference, and the broadcast of Mladić’s commemoration on RTRS. Consistent wit

Why objectivity (75): Similar to the first article, the tone is clearly aligned with the perspective of the Mothers of Srebrenica, expressing strong disapproval of the glorification of Mladić. This leans toward an emotional response rather than maintaining strict neutrality.

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 709/8/2026
Here's what they thought about sending Mladic.

Ursula von der Leyen, predsjednica Europske komisije, kritikovala je službenu podršku i prisustvo srpskih dužnosnika na pogrebu Ratka Mladića, bivšeg zapovjednika Vojske Republike Srpske, smatrajući ga ratnim zločinicem koji je bio osuđen za genocid u Srebrenici. Njezina objava na Twitteru naglašavala je šokantan prikaz pogreba i opominjala na nedostatak priznanja zločina u prošlosti. I predsjednik Europskog vijeća António Costa objavio je identičnu poruku. U skladu s tim, razmatra se mogućnost da von der Leyen ne posjeti Srbiju tokom svoje turneje po zapadnom Balkanu, jer bi taj posjet bio blizu Mladićeve pogrebnice, što bi moglo utjecati na njeno ponašanje. Glasnogovornica Komisije Paula Pinho napomenula je da program još nije završen i da se još uvijek razmišlja o uključenju svih zemalja regije.

Bias read (Progressive): Article frames the issue through the lens of European Union values and human rights, emphasizing the moral implications of Serbia's involvement in Mladić's funeral. The tone criticizes Serbian authorities for not adequately confronting historical atrocities, aligning with EU narratives that often st

Why factuality (85): Article reports on Ursula von der Leyen's strong public reaction to the state funeral of Ratko Mladić in Serbia, citing her social media posts. It aligns with the primary source document which mentions the potential exclusion of Serbia from the Commission President's tour. The article accurately ref

Why objectivity (70): The tone is strongly critical of Serbia's actions, using emotionally charged language such as 'shocking,' 'war criminal,' and 'deep sorrow.' While the content is factual, the article presents a clear political stance against Serbia, potentially influencing readers' perceptions rather than maintainin

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 689/7/2026
The scandalous reaction of the European Commission to Mladic's funeral which has all the elements of state honours: It didn't happen

Europska komisija je izrazila zabrinutost oko ispraćaja pokojnog ratnog zločinca Ratka Mladića u Beogradu, tvrdeći da se ne odvija uz državne počaste, iako su prisutni ministri, vojska i državna zastava. Glavnogovornica komisije Paula Pinho objasnila je da je Srbija samostalna u određivanju obreda, dok su EU institucije jasno iznijele svoje stajalište. Europska služba za vanjsko djelovanje (EEAS) osudila je veličanje ratnih zločinaca, ali nije spomenula Srbiju. Također, nije bilo jasno da li će predsjednica Europske komisije Ursula von der Leyen posjetiti Srbiju tokom svoje turneje po zapadnom Balkanu.

Bias read (Center): Vijest prikazuje objektivnu analizu stavova Europske komisije prema ispraćaju Mladića, bez jasne političke strance. Komisija izražuje zabrinutost, ali ne pridružuje se specifičnim političkim kritikama prema Srbiji. Stavovi su izraženi neutralno, bez evidentnog opterećenja jedne strane.

Why factuality (75): The article reports the European Commission's stance that the funeral of Ratko Mladić did not involve state honors, despite the presence of government officials and military personnel. It references statements from the Commission’s spokesperson, Paula Pinho, and mentions the EEAS statement condemnin

Why objectivity (68): The tone remains neutral, reporting the positions of the European Commission and EEAS without overt bias. However, there is some subtle framing by emphasizing the 'skandalozna reakcija' (scandalous reaction) which may imply criticism of the EC's response, though this is not overly emotive.

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