Crumbs of “Justice” for the Victims of Srebrenica

The court of appeal in The Hague has recently ruled that the Dutch government is only partially liable for the deaths of approximately 350 Muslim Bosnian men, who were executed at the hands of Serb forces during the four year war in Bosnia in 1995. The ruling is largely in line with that issued by the lower court in 2014.

The ruling goes on to explain that Dutch “peacekeepers are only liable for 30% of the losses suffered by the relatives of these 350 Muslim men. This because it remains “uncertain” whether the Muslim men would have survived if they had remained inside the compound. This explanation is in line with the hypocrisy that has been shown by the Dutch government throughout the last 20 years when referring to the fall of Srebrenica, the worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War.

We understand the outrage of the families when hearing the verdict especially when we learn that Dutch soldiers actually helped channel the refugees towards the buses which had been provided by the enemy Serbian forces, with an uncertain destination. Also blind for the dangers and consequences of separating the women and children from the men. The ruling further exculpates any accountability for the rest of the 8000 men and boys who were slaughtered after being evacuated from around the UN base.

How the loss of these families amounts to a percentage of 30% is a question better not asked and it is a question which will certainly haunt the minds of the relatives of these 350 Muslim men in the same way that the “not guilty” verdict will haunt the relatives of the other approximately 8000 victims. Not even mentioning the other atrocities which were carried out under the full view of these Dutch “peacemakers” of the UN, whose sole mission was to defend and protect the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica from the Serb forces during the Bosnian war.

These crumbs of so called “justice” should remind the Muslims of the words of their Lord when He tells us:

[وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ]

“The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless you do this, (protect each other), there would be fitna on earth, and great mischief.” [TMQ 8:73]

Not only is this verdict in line with the general contempt the Dutch Government has shown for the lives of these 8000 Muslim men. Their disrespect has clearly been revealed 10 years prior when in 2006 Dutch UN peacekeepers were actually awarded medals for their role in Srebrenica and it might be fair to say that a lack of responsibility towards Muslims lives was actually witnessed on that day 8000 Muslim men were escorted in to the buses with destination, death.

This outcome is yet another important lesson for those Muslims who still believe that Western interventions are the solutions for the great troubles in the Islamic world or who still see the UN as a viable organisation which will protect the rights of Muslims. Maybe the words of our beloved Prophet will help change their minds:

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: «لَا يُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَاحِدٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ» “A believer does not allow himself to be stung twice from one (and the same) hole.” (Bukhari)

Even though we see that the rulers of the Muslim world pledge their loyalty to the UN and other Western powers, the Ummah should remain firm after realising that these parties have never had the interest of the Ummah at heart. Again and again we have seen that their agenda is actually to pacify the Islamic revival which is the true solution to the problems the Muslims throughout the world are facing.

Only a state based on Islam will truly be a source of protection to any kind of aggression. A state like the one that the Serbs actually referred to repeatedly when calling the Bosnians, Turks. Referring to the Islamic Ottoman Caliphate's which is well known for its courage and ability to stand up for the interests of Muslims worldwide.

[وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ]

"And do not incline to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall you be helped." [TMQ Hud: 113]

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Yasmin Malik
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir