Netherlands ruled responsible for Srebrenica deaths

Netherlands ruled responsible for Srebrenica deaths

THE HAGUE -- A Dutch court has ruled that the Netherlands was responsible for the deaths of more than 300 people in Srebrenica, Bosnia, in 1995.

"The state is responsible for the loss suffered by the relatives of the men that Bosnian Serbs deported from the camp of the Dutch battalion in Potočari, on the afternoon of July 13, 1995," the AFP quoted the verdict.

Relatives of the victims launched the lawsuit, blaming the Dutch UN peacekeepers for failing to protect thousands of Muslims killed in Srebrenica.

"The complaint was partially upheld, the court divided the victims into three categories. Justice has been obtained for a group of around 300 to 500 men who were inside the UN compound, while the lawsuit was thrown out when it comes to those who were around the base and the men who were directed towards the woods from downtown Srebrenica. The court considers the Dutch state responsible for their deaths," said lawyer Semir Guzin, a member of the team representing Srebrenica residents.

He said he will "continue to fight" and that there is a possibility of appeal and further legal remedies.

The lawsuit was filed seven years ago by the Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Žepa Association.

Last year, a court in the Netherlands ruled that the state was accountable for the deaths of three Bosniaks in Srebrenica.

Last week marked the 19th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, when the Bosnian Serb forces entered the town and killed some 8,000 Muslim men and boys.