Statement by Minister of Justice, Human and Minority Rights Vladimir Leposavić

If there is someone to whom it was not clear for what purpose the former regime asked me whether I acknowledge the crime of genocide in Srebrenica, the evidence can be found in the monstrous and dangerous campaign stating that I relativized, that I allegedly denied the crime of genocide, and even in dangerous hoaxes that I denied that a crime had taken place at all.

None of the above is true. What I have said and what I want to repeat, primarily because of the feelings of my fellow citizens, Muslims and Bosniaks, is that neither personally nor as a public official have I denied the crime of genocide in Srebrenica. In response to the MP's question, I also made it clear that I do not dispute the legal obligation of decisions of international organisations and courts.

The question of personally acknowledging the crime of genocide, despite the fact that I have never denied it, does not deserve to be answered at all. Such issues harass the people who are also victims, and with whom they allegedly want to achieve reconciliation. Every lawyer and somewhat educated man knows that only a perpetrator can admit a crime, especially genocide. Asking any person, including a minister, to admit a crime in which he did not, nor could he participate, is only an evil intention. Responsibility for crimes is always individual. Since it is known that the individual, from whom such recognition is requested, could not have been a participant in the crime, then it is clear that this is intended to collectivize guilt, which is just an occasion for new conflicts and their constant survival, in order to make profit from the same conflicts, as has been done so far. To ask, therefore, every person and public official to confess a crime he has not committed, not allowing him to speak about the sufferings of his or another nation and, in addition, to state that it is not aimed at imposing collective responsibility, is the greatest hypocrisy. It is also the best way to alienate people, who suffer equally, from the chance to reconcile forever.

This is a case in which new court proceedings are still pending and can be conducted. Since the epic poetry of 19th-century writers was used as evidence in some of these proceedings, it is understandable that the Minister of Justice in an expert government cannot afford such irresponsibility to give unconditional confessions about the events of these proceedings.

Since the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia failed to create conditions for the reconciliation of the people, we are left to find our own way to understanding and full respect. With a genuine desire for reconciliation to happen, I stressed that it cannot be a way of blaming each other and ignoring the suffering of those with whom reconciliation is sought. I expressed this position in good faith, according to my personal conscience and in accordance with my own professional knowledge, precisely because I am the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of all people, not just of one or the other.

Distorting my words and manipulating them proves only the intention of those who do it. Some have proven to persistently ignore the right to equality, even for victims, others are trying to hide their criminal past, while others are post-war profiteers. All of them are united by the fact that they did not contribute to the reconciliation of the people. That is why it is clear to everyone today that they are not asking for my resignation because of Montenegrin Bosniaks and Muslims, but because of Montenegrin crime. Therefore, they won't get it from me. Before assuming the office, I publicly spoke out and defended the rights of all national and religious communities against hate speech and discrimination, which I will continue to do in the future.

The new Government of Montenegro, and me as its member, is left to fight for the recovery of the robbed and divided Montenegrin society, which has been brought to the brink of moral stagnation. Thus, after 20 years, the recognition for war crimes is requested from the Minister of Justice by those who, according to their own and others' confessions, participated in those wars. Although I have stated my views without intending to deny or diminish the scale and consequences of the Srebrenica massacre, I am sorry that I did not do so in a way that did not hurt any of my fellow citizens of the Islamic faith. I will continue to fight for what I believe in - that every life and everyone's suffering is respected equally, so that no one's sacrifices would be in vain, but become an eternal memory and warning that no one in this area will be persecuted on religious or national grounds.