A round table discussion titled “Transitional Justice: A Case Study of Višegrad” was held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at the Faculty of Law of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS). The speakers at the event included Prof. Dr. David Pettigrew from the Southern State Connecticut University, Mrs. Bakira Hasečić from the Association “Women Victims of War,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Ermin Kuka from the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ena Kazić- Çakar, Acting Dean of the IUS Faculty of Law.
Prof. Dr. Pettigrew focused on the challenges of memorialization in Bosnia and Herzegovina underlining the case of Višegrad and pointing out to the difficulties in the construction of a memorial site for the victims as well as the promotion of memorials to the war criminals. Mrs. Hasečić stressed the importance of testifying of the sufferings – an important segment in building the culture memory. Dr. Kuka touched on the issue of war criminal glorification and concluded that such a problem stands as a challenge to the establishment of transitional justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By using practical examples, he underlined that this is a pressing issue in Višegrad. Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ena Kazić- Çakar also addressed the attendees and questioned the applicability of the plea bargains in war crimes cases reflecting on the cases of war crimes committed in Višegrad.
The aim of this round table discussion was to set out the difficulties faced in the establishment of transitional justice and implementation of its aims.
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