London, UK – British Member of Parliament Alicia Kearns has strongly condemned Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent comments regarding the crimes committed by the Serbian regime in the 1990s. In an interview with the BBC, Vucic was asked about the atrocities carried out during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, particularly the actions of the Serbian state.
Vučić, in his statement, claimed that he disagrees with the notion of who was responsible for the crimes, asserting that he himself had changed, but still rejecting the accountability for the atrocities that occurred during that period. “I don’t agree on who was guilty and who was responsible,” said the Serbian president.
Alicia Kearns Calls Denial a “Calculated Attack”
In response to Vučić’s comments, MP Alicia Kearns sharply criticized the Serbian president, emphasizing that denial of the atrocities is a deliberate and calculated attack on the victims of the conflict. “Denial is a deliberate and calculated attack on survivors. It is a weapon that seeks to hurt the people and institutions that have grown out of the ashes of war.” Kearns wrote.
She further stressed that denial of the crimes is not just a distortion of facts but a continuation of the very violence and crimes committed during the war. “Denial is a continuation of the crimes themselves – what begins with violence and killing is continued through the falsification of history.” Kearns concluded.
Tensions Over War Crimes Accountability
Kearns’ remarks reflect ongoing tensions in the region regarding the responsibility for war crimes committed during the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s. Vučić, who was a member of the Serbian government during the wars, has frequently faced criticism for his role and the role of Serbia in the atrocities, including the Bosnian genocide and the ethnic cleansing campaigns. While he has acknowledged some of the wrongs committed during the conflict, he continues to downplay Serbia’s responsibility in comparison to other parties involved.
The debate surrounding war crimes in the Balkans remains a highly sensitive issue, particularly as Serbia seeks to join the European Union, which requires full accountability for past actions.
