Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
800px-Dutchbat_HQ_exit_2009
Concrete block at the exit of the compound of the former Dutch battalion ("Dutchbat") headquarters in Potočari near Srebrenica (Image MichaelBueker) - Credit: Concrete block at the exit of the compound of the former Dutch battalion ("Dutchbat") headquarters in Potočari near Srebrenica (Image MichaelBueker)
Crime
Politics
appeal
bosnia
Dutch State
Dutchbat
genocide
massacre
Mothers of Srebrenica
muslim
Serbia
Srebenica
The Hague
UN
United Nations
Thursday, 9 October 2014 - 14:27
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Dutch appeal Srebrenica ruling

The Netherlands will lodge an appeal against a Hague civil court ruling which holds the country partially responsible for the massacre of 320 Muslims by Bosnian Serb forces in Srebenica, after they were kicked out of a Dutch-controlled base. The ruling will hold the state is liable for damages suffered by the surviving families of the victims.

The Mothers of Srebrenica, a group of relatives of the men killed in the massacre, filed the case with the Hague court earlier this year after the Dutch State claimed no responsibility for the deaths of the Muslim men. According to the group, while under the protection of the Dutch UN battalion (Dutchbat), thousands of men and boys who had taken refuge in the encampment were separated from the women, removed and executed by the Bosnian-Serbian army.

Initially the State had attempted to find refuge in UN immunity, as Dutchbat fell under the umbrella of the UN and not Dutch command, but were denied. They also argued that Dutch soldiers had no choice but to assist with the removal of the men, an argument which the court later refused.

In the final ruling, the Judge held the State ultimately liable for the damage suffered by the victims families, saying that Dutchbat should have seriously considered the possibility that this group of Muslim men would be killed.

The State Attorney will now appeal the ruling, arguing that the Srebrenica massacre was indeed a terrible tragedy, but that the Bosnian-Serb forces should alone be held responsible.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Netherlands can ban child sex dolls if they look younger than 12: Council of State
  • Amsterdam public transport money woes less severe than thought; staff shortages an issue
  • Two new explosions in Rotterdam brings this year’s total above 60
  • Amsterdam to cut down further on bed and breakfasts to fight housing shortage
  • Beer on a terrace about 10% more expensive than last year
  • Leiden museum barred from Egypt excavations after Kemet exhibition

Top stories

  • Eurostar hopeful about keeping Amsterdam-London high speed train running
  • Joran van der Sloot appeals against Peru's plans to extradite him to U.S.
  • Every Netherlands resident affected by data leak: watchdog
  • Trains expected to run from 9 a.m. around Amsterdam, Utrecht & The Hague
  • Most Dutch businesses facing higher costs they can’t pass on despite rising debt levels
  • Woman possibly abducted in Houten; Police looking for witnesses

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content