PHR Library

August 2, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Medical and Forensic Group Involved with Srebrenica Investigation Applauds Krstic Decision, Calls for Mladic and Karadzic to Be Brought to Trial

The Boston-based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), who engaged in pioneering forensic investigations at mass grave sites around Srebrenica, Bosnia, hailed today's verdict by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia that convicts General Radislav Krstic of genocide and other crimes. Krstic was judged responsible for the killings of thousands of men and boys in the area surrounding Srebrenica during one week in July, 1995

Leonard S. Rubenstein, Executive Director, said, "Today is a landmark in the effort to bring those responsible for genocide to justice. The detailed evidence cited by the tribunal establishes forever the truth of what happened in that awful week in 1995."

"However, today's verdict will remain partial justice as long as those who are most responsible for the genocide, General Ratko Mladic and then Bosnian Serb President Radovan Karadzic, evade the court," added Rubenstein. "In addition, thousands of families still await the identification of loved ones' remains and the chance to return to their homes."

"Having worked for years in Bosnia with the families of the victims, we know that this is only one part of the resolution of their tragedy," said Doug Ford, Senior Program Associate at PHR. "The international community must continue to support identifications of the bodies and the survivors' right to return to their homes."

The verdict also showed the power of forensic evidence to prove mass killings. In 1996, under the leadership of forensic anthropologist William D. Haglund, Ph.D., PHR conducted investigations of sites in Kraviza, Pilica Farm, Cerzca, and Lazete that contained almost 500 bodies from the Srebrenica massacre. These investigations constituted the first scientific proof that Bosnian Serb forces had systematically murdered fleeing Bosnian Muslim men and boys.

The tribunal cited evidence collected by PHR, which exhumed 150 bodies of Bosnian Muslim men and boys from the side of a road in the area of the Srebrenica safe haven. The victims, all but three of whom were wearing civilian clothes, had been placed on the roadside, hands bound with wire behind them, while their executioners shot them from across the road. The Bosnian Serb forces covered the bodies with soil from where they fell.

"The Krstic case showed that evidence from mass graves thwarts the efforts of perpetrators to hide mass killings. The resources of forensic anthropology and pathology helped to ensure that truth prevailed in this trial."

Physicians for Human Rights mobilizes the health professions and enlists the general public to protect and promote the human rights of all people. PHR shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its role as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) mobilizes the health professions to advance the health and dignity of all people by protecting human rights. As a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, PHR shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.