CROWN PRINCE STATEMENT REGARDING HAGUE TRIBUNAL

Belgrade, 29 November 2012 – Crown Prince Alexander issued a statement regarding ruling of the Hague Tribunal in the cases of Ramus Haradinaj, Idriz Baljaj and Ljahij Brahimij.

“I am very concerned by the latest Hague Tribunal ruling today that freed Ramus Haradinaj, Idriz Baljaj and Ljahij Brahimij. Instead of convicting them of actions against humanity involving Serb and Roma civilians in the Jablanica camp in 1998. Verdicts like this encourage separatism, work against peace in the region, cancel efforts to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

They have humiliated all of us Serbs and others by ignoring victims and our internally displaced people. They have betrayed the trust of our Governments that have fully cooperated with the Tribunal believing in the Rule of Law, democratic process and basic human rights, which are declared as the basis of European Laws. 

The rule of Law has to apply fair judgment which only exists if it respects both, Law and Justice. Since every judgment sets a principal for the future, there is a serious risk of how this ruling will be understood.

Once again, the Hague Tribunal failed to implement the Law; instead they have implemented the bias politics and reversed the clock back to the turmoil of the 90’. Therefore, I must say that I am deeply shocked by the irresponsibility of the Hague Tribunal shady legal value actions, which will result with the escalation of the Belgrade – Pristina crises.”

The Hague Tribunal has the obligation to immediately review all the Serbian cases without any delay and this is only fair.