Sociologist: Serbia's disregard for war crimes trials shows societal decay

Sociologist Zoran Gavrilović asserts that Serbian society's attitude towards war crimes and the rule of law is deeply problematic, particularly in the context of Ratko Mladić's death. He argues that Serbia, as a member of the United Nations, is obligated to respect rulings from UN tribunals. "Serbia is a member of the United Nations (UN), the court that made the decision, or rather the verdict, is a UN institution – therefore, Serbia must respect that decision. Or, if it does not want to respect it – it should leave the UN," Gavrilović stated. Gavrilović points to a 2023 BIRODI study indicating that "every fifth citizen considers breaking the law a positive thing if you want to achieve your rights." He connects this to a broader societal acceptance of unethical and illegal behavior, noting that Ratko Mladić himself violated international conventions and humanitarian laws. "This society's attitude towards these things is not just an attitude towards him, but also how unethical and illegal conduct is treated in our society. And we are a society with a high degree of corruption and where the crime rate is high," Gavrilović emphasized. He further contends that a society lacking empathy for victims of crime is a "poor" one with no future. Gavrilović also addressed the upcoming Serbian elections, dismissing the government's acquisition of new "screens" for polling stations as a superficial measure. He argued that the first recommendation from ODIHR was to separate political parties from the state, a principle undermined by President Aleksandar Vučić's campaign tactics. "Because the first recommendation of ODIHR is to separate the party from the state," Gavrilović reminded. According to Gavrilović, the current political landscape is not about genuine elections but about "acclimatizing the personal rule of Aleksandar Vučić." He believes the upcoming elections will serve as a referendum on Serbia's democratic status, forcing citizens to choose between autocracy and democracy. "Serbia may have new roads and hospitals, but it is falling when it comes to the rule of law, freedom of speech, media freedom, and the rise of corruption – which is the essence of the state. And that's why I think ideological stories will not pass. Because we are in a situation where we have to fight to have a situation where we can talk about ideology," Gavrilović concluded.

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Serbia is a member of the United Nations (UN), the court that made the decision, or rather the verdict, is a UN institution – therefore, Serbia must respect that decision. Or, if it does not want to respect it – it should leave the UN.