Višegrad, 17 April 2012
Thirty-three students from the Ivo Andrić high school in Višegrad, eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, showed a great deal of interest in a recent ICTY presentation, which eventually ran well beyond its initially planned two hours. A group of students even stayed behind after school hours, eager to learn more about the Tribunal’s activities.
The students were particularly interested in cases which dealt with their local municipalities, but also wanted to know more about the Tribunal’s mandate and sentencing practices, as well as the individualisation of guilt and sanctions relating to false testimony and contempt of court.
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Another student suggested that violence is not the answer to disagreements among people and that any lingering resentment should be put aside for the sake of reconciliation.
One 18-year-old student stated that reconciliation is possible and can be achieved through forgiveness and recognition of crimes.
Inspired by the presentation and subsequent discussion, another student expressed a desire to learn more about international humanitarian law. She said that she would be going to university in the autumn, and now very much hoped she would be able to study this particular branch of law.
Tuzla, 10 April 2012
A group of 30 students and teachers at the Meša Selimović high school in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, participated in the latest Outreach Programme presentation on the work of the ICTY on 10 April 2012.
The two-hour presentation generated numerous questions about ICTY judgements, the duration of the Tribunal’s mandate and its ability to successfully try all those who stand accused of war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia.
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Sociology teacher Smiljana Volna underlined the importance of the younger generations understanding the notion of individual responsibility for war crimes, which protects entire ethnic communities from being labeled as collectively responsible. “Apart from its role in bringing justice to victims and punishing the perpetrators, it is also very important to underline the moral dimension of trials before the Tribunal in The Hague,” Ms Volna said. “Since our peoples in this area are bound to live together, young people should understand the Tribunal’s contribution to the process of reconciliation and this should even be discussed in the course I teach.”
The students praised the presentation and expressed great interest in testimonies given in the Srebrenica cases. A 19-year-old girl said: “Reconciliation is possible because the future rests in the hands of young generations. Past events should not be forgotten. However, we should not spend the rest of our lives in hatred, but turn to the present and focus on creating a better future.”
One fourth-year student, said: "This was a chance for me to learn more about humanitarian law and certain terms I’ve often heard, but have never had clarified. The visual presentation was very efficient in raising awareness among the younger generation. I will use the given contact addresses to find more information on the internet about the work of the Tribunal and specific cases."
The presentation in Tuzla attracted considerable media attention, including coverage by the Tuzla Cantonal Television and Radio Free Europe. The school’s teacher and a student counsellor expressed their appreciation for an ‘excellent and very informative’ presentation and welcomed the possibility of cooperation in the future.
Sarajevo, 4 April 2012
A public debate on wartime sexual violence and accountability was held today in Sarajevo during which the Tribunal’s Outreach Programme premiered its documentary "Sexual Violence and the Triumph of Justice". The event was attended by some 80 guests, amongst whom were victims, Bosnian government officials, members of academia, Embassy and NGO representatives as well as journalists.
Zagreb, 29 March 2012
The Tribunal’s Outreach Programme today launched a round of presentations at high schools in Croatia for this school year and held its first presentation at the 10th Gymnasium “Ivan Supek” in Zagreb.
Through this region-wide project, launched on 14 December 2011 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Tribunal is seeking to support the process of reconciliation in the region by encouraging young people to take an active interest in the Tribunal’s work and achievements as well as wider issues of justice, transitional justice mechanisms and post-conflict social recovery.