OSCE Chairperson welcomes arrest of Goran Hadžić

VILNIUS, 20 July 2011 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today welcomed the arrest by Serbian authorities of Goran Hadžić, the last remaining fugitive wanted by the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague.

“I welcome the arrest of Goran Hadžić, which comes less than two months after the arrest of Ratko Mladić,” he said. “I commend the Serbian authorities for bringing in the last two people indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia who have evaded justice for so long.”

“It is critical that those responsible for crimes against humanity are brought to justice. This is an important step towards strengthening the rule of law, stability and reconciliation.”

The OSCE, through its field operations in South Eastern Europe, monitors domestic and ICTY-deferred war crimes proceedings and helps build the capacity of local judicial authorities. The Organization supports national systems for ensuring impartial accountability and enhancing judicial co-operation on war crimes proceedings in the region.