VUJIĆ: WE WILL PROTECT GENERAL MLADIĆ’S HUMAN RIGHTS BY ALL LEGAL AND DIPLOMATIC MEANS

BELGRADE, MAY 15 /SRNA/ – Serbia will keep using all legal and diplomatic means to protect the fundamental human rights of all its citizens, Serbia's Justice Minister Nenad Vujić stated regarding the decision of the Hague Mechanism to reject the request for General Ratko Mladić's release for medical treatment in Serbia.

Vujić announced that Serbia will keep pointing to the international public the responsibility of individuals whose decisions endanger the principles of humanity and human dignity, reads a statement from the Ministry of Justice of Serbia. He expressed concern over the Mechanism's decision, which acknowledged that General Mladić's health condition is extremely serious and that there is a high probability of a fatal outcome in the near future, yet despite this, the request for his release was denied. According to him, humanitarian principles, the right to dignified medical treatment, and universal civilizational values must apply equally to everyone regardless of the nature of the charges or convictions. Vujić pointed out that Serbia had provided all necessary guarantees for Mladić's treatment, accommodation, and supervision on Serbia's territory, which was documented during the proceedings before the Mechanism. The Ministry of Justice recalled that Serbia had demonstrated responsibility and readiness to cooperate with international judicial institutions in previous cases, while respecting international obligations and standards. For that very reason, the Ministry expects humanitarian issues to be treated without political or selective approaches. The Hague Mechanism rejected the defence team’s request for General Ratko Mladić to be released for treatment in Serbia due to his serious health condition. General Mladić suffered a stroke on April 10, and his already difficult health condition has further deteriorated, as he has serious neurological, cardiovascular, and nephrological problems. On May 2, he was transferred from the detention facility to a civilian hospital in The Hague due to suspicion of a stroke. Since doctors at the time did not confirm that he had suffered a stroke, he was returned to the detention hospital. General Mladić has been in the detention hospital in The Hague since 2024, where he is receiving palliative care. The Mechanism has repeatedly rejected requests for his provisional release for medical treatment in Serbia.