Banja Luka Awards 'Key to the City' to Genocide Accused on City Day

Banja Luka, the de facto capital of Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity, celebrated its City Day on April 22, 2024 by awarding the "Key to the City" to an individual accused of genocide. The controversial move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and the international community.

The recipient of the honor was Milorad Dodik, the current president of Republika Srpska. Dodik has been a vocal denier of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which international courts have ruled constituted genocide. In a rally organized by Dodik in Banja Luka, he expressed "special respect" to the victims but maintained his denial of the genocide.

The Republika Srpska parliament recently adopted a report stating the Srebrenica massacre did not meet the definition of genocide. This comes as Serbia and Republika Srpska mount a campaign against a proposed UN resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide.

Why this matters: The awarding of Banja Luka's highest honor to a genocide denier on the city's official day sends a troubling message and undermines reconciliation efforts in the region. It highlights the ongoing tensions and divergent narratives surrounding the Bosnian War and its aftermath, even nearly three decades later.

Dodik, known for his pro-Russian stance, has been sanctioned by the US and UK for alleged efforts to destabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina and for corruption. Representatives from Serbia attended the rally in Banja Luka to show support for Republika Srpska and Dodik.

The controversial event in Banja Luka coincided with reports that the US has provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missile systems. The weapons were used to strike Russian forces in occupied areas, marking an escalation in US military support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

The decision by Banja Luka authorities to honor Dodik despite his genocide denial has been widely condemned. "Awarding the Key to the City to someone who blatantly rejects established facts about the Srebrenica genocide is a disgrace," said a spokesperson for a prominent human rights organization. "It undermines the suffering of the victims and hinders reconciliation and justice." Officials from Bosnia's other entity, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also denounced the move as "shameful" and "provocative."

Key Takeaways

• Banja Luka awarded "Key to City" to Milorad Dodik, accused of genocide denial.
• Republika Srpska parliament denied Srebrenica massacre as genocide, opposing UN resolution.
• Dodik, known for pro-Russian stance, has been sanctioned for destabilizing Bosnia.
• Awarding Dodik despite genocide denial condemned as undermining reconciliation efforts.
• Coincided with US providing long-range missiles to Ukraine, escalating military support.