KARAN: DOBROVOLJAČKA CRIME, A DOUBLE OBLIGATION - TO PERSIST IN SEEKING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO PRESERVE MEMORY OF VICTIMS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 2 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan told SRNA that the crime in Dobrovoljačka Street remains one of the most serious events in the recent past, not only because of the deaths of mostly young soldiers who were serving their mandatory military service, but also because of the undermining of trust in one’s word, agreements, and basic principles of international law.

Karan stated that in early May 1992, there was a clear agreement on the peaceful and safe withdrawal of members of the JNA from Sarajevo. “Unfortunately, instead of respecting the given guarantees, an attack was carried out on the convoy that was withdrawing in the belief that it was safe. That event left deep scars. For the Serb people, it marked a moment in which hopes of preserving coexistence were lost, and it strengthened the belief that the Serb people were facing major threats and challenges and had to defend themselves,” emphasized Karan. He pointed out that the absence of accountability for the events in Dobrovoljačka Street for more than three decades sends a concerning message that justice is not equal for all. Therefore, Karan emphasized, there is a double obligation - to persist in seeking truth and accountability, but also to preserve dignified remembrance of all innocent victims. “Republika Srpska insists on establishing facts and accountability out of the belief that justice is the foundation of any sustainable peace," said the President of Republika Srpska.