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SNV calls for prosecution of crimes against Serbian civilians after the storm: "No victim deserves to be forgotten"
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive2 days ago

SNV calls for prosecution of crimes against Serbian civilians after the storm: "No victim deserves to be forgotten"

The Serbian National Council (SNV) held a commemoration ceremony in Komica near Udbina to honor Serbian civilians who were victims of military operations during and after Operation Storm in 1995. The event called for the prosecution of war crimes against Serbian civilians and emphasized equal respect for all civilian victims. According to SNV data, eight Serbian civilians were killed or disappeared in the summer of 1995, including 93-year-old Sava Lavrnić and his son Petar, while Maria Brkljač was burned alive in her home. SNV President Boris Milošević criticized the lack of prosecutions and noted that judicial investigations into war crimes against Serbian civilians remain ineffective. He highlighted similar cases in other areas, such as the unresolved investigation into the killing of eight civilians in Uzdol near Knin. Milošević stressed that no victim, regardless of nationality, should be forgotten and called for equal treatment in seeking justice. The ceremony included readings of names of those killed and references to past incidents, including the 1991 killings of five Croatian civilians in Lovinci. The event featured representatives from Serbia, including a member of the SD

The Serbian National Council (SNV) held a commemoration ceremony in Komić, near Udbina, on Monday to honor Serbian civilians who were killed during and after the military operation “Oluja.” The event called for the prosecution of war crimes and equal respect for all civilian victims. Central to the ceremony was a memorial site in the village center, where, according to SNV records, eight Serbian civilians were killed or disappeared in the summer of 1995. Among them were 93-year-old Sava Lavrnić and his son Petar, while Marija Brkljač, a non-movable person, was burned alive in her home. SNV President Boris Milošević stated that no indictment has been filed against this crime more than three decades later, criticizing the ongoing lack of effective investigations into war crimes committed against Serbian civilians. He emphasized that the case in Komić is not isolated, noting that the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia recently confirmed for the third time that an effective investigation was not conducted regarding the killing of eight civilians in Uzdolje near Knin. Milošević described the ineffective investigation as recurring from village to village, from case to case. Milošević stressed that the SNV honors all victims of war, regardless of nationality, and reminded attendees of the killing of five Croatian civilians in Lovinc in 1991. He declared, “No victim, whether Croatian or Serbian, should be forgotten. Innocence does not depend on which side one was born into. We demand that no victim be divided into more important or less important, into one that deserves investigation and one that waits in vain.” During the ceremony, names of the eight victims from Komić, Marija Brkljač, Petar and Sava Lavrnić, Borka, Milica, Milka, Radomir, and Stanko, were read aloud. A 19th Memorial Statement from the SNV was also recited, highlighting that the absence of prosecution for war crimes against Serbian civilians represents an open wound and calling for effective investigations, recognition of the status of war victims, cooperation between Croatia and Serbia in clarifying the fate of missing persons, and the development of a culture of peace and dialogue. Among the attendees were representatives from the Serbian embassy in Croatia, members of political parties and organizations from Serbia, and clergy from the Orthodox Church. The event underscored the persistent call for justice and remembrance, with participants emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of those lost. Separately, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Croatia has launched an initiative advocating for legal reforms to ensure that all victims of sexual violence during the war have the right to compensation. They argue that current judicial practices are not aligned with international standards, noting that the law narrowly defines sexual offenses and excludes many forms recognized internationally, such as severe sexual abuse or forced marriage. This legal framework limits access to reparations and potentially discriminates against certain groups of victims. YIHR calls for aligning the Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence During the Armed Aggression Against Croatia with international mechanisms for human rights protection and the Croatian Constitution. They emphasize that the state has not taken all possible measures to ensure victims access to justice, particularly following changes to the Justice Development Strategy in 2013, which reduced institutional focus on victims of wartime sexual violence despite its importance. To address systemic issues, YIHR proposes additional training for professionals working with survivors of wartime sexual violence, focusing on multidisciplinary approaches. They also recommend standardized, detailed, and sensitive questionnaires for collecting statements from survivors, ensuring comprehensive data relevant to criminal proceedings. These tools would be tailored to individual cases rather than using rigid, mandatory questions, especially considering the frequent physical and psychological consequences faced by survivors.

3 reports

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 803 days ago
SNV calls for prosecution of crimes against Serbian civilians after the storm: "No victim deserves to be forgotten"

The Serbian National Council (SNV) held a commemoration ceremony in Komica near Udbina to honor Serbian civilians who were victims of military operations during and after Operation Storm in 1995. The event called for the prosecution of war crimes against Serbian civilians and emphasized equal respect for all civilian victims. According to SNV data, eight Serbian civilians were killed or disappeared in the summer of 1995, including 93-year-old Sava Lavrnić and his son Petar, while Maria Brkljač was burned alive in her home. SNV President Boris Milošević criticized the lack of prosecutions and noted that judicial investigations into war crimes against Serbian civilians remain ineffective. He highlighted similar cases in other areas, such as the unresolved investigation into the killing of eight civilians in Uzdol near Knin. Milošević stressed that no victim, regardless of nationality, should be forgotten and called for equal treatment in seeking justice. The ceremony included readings of names of those killed and references to past incidents, including the 1991 killings of five Croatian civilians in Lovinci. The event featured representatives from Serbia, including a member of the SD

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue around the call for accountability for war crimes committed against Serbian civilians, emphasizing the need for justice and equal recognition of victims. It highlights the lack of progress in legal proceedings and criticizes the state’s failure to address these issues, a

Why factuality (90): This article provides detailed reporting on the SNV commemoration, including specific names of victims and statements from the SNV president. It accurately reflects the event and quotes officials directly. The information is consistent with other sources and does not appear to contradict established

Why objectivity (80): While the article presents the SNV's perspective, it remains largely neutral in tone, quoting officials and providing factual details without overtly promoting any particular political agenda. However, there is a slight leaning towards emphasizing the importance of justice for all victims, which may

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 803 days ago
SNV commemoration at the Chamber for Serb Civilians Killed in the Storm: žrtNo victim should be forgotten

The Srpsko Narodno Vijeće (SNV) held a commemoration ceremony in Komić near Udbina to honor Serbian civilians killed during and after Operation Storm, calling for the prosecution of war crimes and equal respect for all civilian victims. The event took place at a memorial site in the village where eight Serbian civilians were killed or disappeared in the summer of 1995, including 93-year-old Sava Lavrnić and his son Petar, while Maria Brkljač was burned alive in her home. SNV President Boris Milošević criticized the lack of prosecutions and stated that investigations into war crimes against Serbian civilians remain ineffective. He emphasized that no victim, regardless of nationality, should be forgotten, and called for equal recognition of both Croatian and Serbian victims. The ceremony included readings of names of the deceased and the 19th Statement of Remembrance by the SNV, which highlights the open wound caused by the absence of justice for Serbian civilian victims. Representatives from Serbia, including a member of parliament from SDSS and representatives of the Embassy of Serbia in Croatia, attended the event along with clergy from the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the commemoration as a call for accountability and justice, emphasizing the ongoing failure to prosecute war crimes against Serbian civilians. It highlights the SNV’s stance on equal treatment of victims and criticizes the lack of effective investigation, aligning with left-wing关切

Why factuality (90): Similar to the previous article, this piece offers a detailed account of the SNV commemoration, including victim names and official statements. It maintains consistency with other reports and provides verifiable details about the event. No significant discrepancies are noted compared to cross-source

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, focusing on reporting the event and quoting participants. While it supports the SNV's call for accountability, it does so through direct quotes rather than inserting editorial commentary, thus maintaining a balance between advocacy and neutrality.

Telegram.hr logoTelegram.hrIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 752 days ago
Youth Initiative for Human Rights calls for changes in the law: All victims of sexual violence in war should have the right to compensation

The Initiative of Young People for Human Rights in Croatia (YIHR) is calling for legal reforms to expand the definition of sexual crimes and ensure reparations for all victims of wartime sexual violence between 1991 and 1995, regardless of their status during the war. They argue that current laws narrowly define sexual violence, omitting recognized forms such as severe sexual abuse or forced marriage, thereby limiting access to reparations and potentially discriminating against certain groups. The initiative highlights that judicial practices are not aligned with international standards and urges compliance with international human rights mechanisms and the Croatian Constitution. It also criticizes the lack of institutional focus on victims of wartime sexual violence since the 2013 Justice Development Strategy, despite this being a priority. YIHR proposes additional training for professionals working with survivors and standardized, sensitive questionnaires to gather information necessary for criminal proceedings.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced critique of existing legal frameworks and judicial practices without overtly promoting a specific ideological stance. While it emphasizes the need for reform based on international standards, it does not take a partisan position but rather advocates for alignment with

Why factuality (85): The article reports on an initiative by young people for human rights seeking legal changes to expand reparations for victims of sexual violence during the war. It cites the YIHR as a source and discusses international standards and legal definitions. While no primary source is available, the inform

Why objectivity (75): The tone is somewhat activist-oriented, emphasizing the urgency and moral imperative of legal reform. The language carries a strong advocacy stance, particularly in highlighting the gap between current laws and international standards, which may reflect the organization’s position rather than presen

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