War Crime or Genocide? Šešelj Shocks Serbia Again!
Ready for another round of controversy? Vojislav Šešelj, leader of the Serbian Radical Party, has once again stirred the pot by claiming that what happened in Srebrenica was a war crime, but not genocide! Yes, you read that right. While the whole of Europe and the world mark July 11 as a day of remembrance for the Srebrenica genocide, Šešelj insists it’s the “wrong date” and that the executions of prisoners of war happened several days later, between July 14 and 17.
Šešelj’s incendiary claims
According to him, on July 11, 1995, there were no Bosniaks in Srebrenica because all civilians had been evacuated to the Dutch UNPROFOR base in Potočari. He claims that armed men from the 28th Infantry Division left Srebrenica in a combat formation heading towards Tuzla, and that the executions of prisoners, which he condemns, happened later and do not constitute genocide.
Šešelj goes as far as to say that no women or children were killed, a claim that has sparked outrage and disbelief across the region and the world. He also disputes the victim numbers, arguing that it wasn’t 8,000 men executed, but far fewer, since the vehicles used to transport prisoners couldn’t have held that many people.
A book without scientific critique?
At the promotion of the second edition of his book “There Was No Genocide in Srebrenica,” Šešelj emphasized that every fact in the book is documented and that there has been no scientific criticism of his work, not even in Sarajevo or Zagreb. Is this a sign that his version of events is accepted, or just that no one wanted to engage in debate with him?
Why does this matter?
Srebrenica is a symbol of one of the most horrific crimes in Europe since World War II. Denying or downplaying genocide is not just historical revisionism; it’s an insult to the victims and their families. Šešelj’s statements come at a time when we remember the anniversary and remind us how important it is not to alter the truth about the past for political gain.
Is this just another political provocation or a serious historical debate?
Either way, Šešelj has managed to ignite the fire again and provoke a flood of comments. Is it time to finally face the past, or will we continue living in a world of lies and manipulation? Share your thoughts — is Šešelj right, or is this just another attempt to relativize a terrible tragedy?
Join the conversation because topics like this shouldn’t go without voices and opinions. Who knows, maybe your comment will change someone’s mind!
Provocative headline: Šešelj Claims: Srebrenica Was a War Crime, Not Genocide!
Date: July 11
Source: Tanjug
Author: Srna Vesna Šurbat
