VUJIĆ: ISSUE OF GENERAL MLADIĆ'S HEALTH CONCERNS RESPECT FOR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS

BELGRADE, JUNE 11 /SRNA/ - Serbian Minister of Justice Nenad Vujić told SRNA that Serbia will raise the case of General Ratko Mladić at the UN Security Council session on the work of the Hague Mechanism, and stated that the issue of his health condition goes beyond any political or legal aspect and concerns, above all, the respect for basic human rights.

"That is why we believe it is legitimate to ask whether humanitarian reasons and medical facts were sufficiently taken into account when the Mechanism made its decision, which is why Serbia has also requested an opinion from the UN Human Rights Committee," Vujić said. He emphasized that Serbia’s representative will also draw special attention to the need for requests based on the serious health conditions of convicted persons to be considered consistently, transparently, and in accordance with international humanitarian standards. Vujić emphasized that Serbia does not question final verdicts or the jurisdiction of international institutions, but points to the need for full protection of human dignity and fundamental rights in every individual case. He reminded that Serbia, for humanitarian reasons, requested that General Mladić be allowed to receive medical treatment in Serbia, under full state guarantees that included constant supervision by competent authorities, restrictions on movement, and regular reporting to the Mechanism. "Our request was not aimed at reconsidering the verdict or challenging the decisions of the international court, but solely at protecting the right to life, human dignity, and adequate medical care. This concerns a man whose health condition is extremely serious and whose life and access to adequate treatment require urgent and humane action," Vujić stated. He said that Serbia will, in New York, highlight the importance of respecting the basic human rights of all persons under the jurisdiction of international judicial institutions, including the rights to life, dignity, and adequate healthcare, stating that international justice cannot be viewed in isolation from universal humanitarian principles and human rights standards. "Serbia will also raise the issue of the Mechanism's consistency in decision-making regarding early release, as well as the need for greater transparency in matters related to the health conditions of convicted persons. Trust in international justice can only be built on clear rules and their equal application to all," Vujić stated. He added that at the Security Council session, Serbia will also initiate a broader discussion on the future of the Mechanism, its mandate, and the timeline for completing its remaining activities, given that it was originally designed as a temporary residual mechanism. In addition, Vujić stated that Serbia will propose considering reform of the system of serving sentences, including the possibility for convicted persons to serve their sentences in their countries of citizenship, with full respect for international standards and appropriate international supervision. "Such a solution could contribute to the preservation of family ties, better access to healthcare, and more successful reintegration of convicted persons," Vujić added. He emphasized that Serbia's message to be delivered in New York is clear — that no special treatment is being sought for anyone, but rather the consistent application of law, humanity, and the principles on which the United Nations is based. "Serbia expects that requests based on humanitarian grounds will be approached with more understanding, transparency, and consistency, especially when it comes to persons in critical health condition. We are convinced that international justice can only be strong if it is at the same time fair, efficient, and humane," Vujić concluded. The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Graciela Gatti Santana, rejected on May 14 the request to allow General Mladić to receive medical treatment in Serbia, stating that his health condition is serious due to chronic illnesses, but that it is not an acute deterioration that would justify release on humanitarian grounds. General Mladić suffered his first stroke on April 10 and another on May 2, after which his health further deteriorated due to serious neurological, cardiovascular, and nephrological conditions. Since 2024, he has been in the detention hospital in The Hague, where he is receiving palliative care. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague has repeatedly rejected requests for General Mladić to be granted temporary release to receive medical treatment in Serbia.