EC on honoring Seselj: There is no place in Europe to celebrate war criminals

There is no place in Europe for denial of genocide, revisionism and glorification of war criminals, according to the response of the European Commission regarding the order awarded by the Serbian Orthodox Church to Hague convict Vojislav Seselj, Voice of America reports.

“Our position is clear. Attempts to rewrite history are unacceptable,” European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero Hernandez said in a written response to VOA.

Religious leaders and communities have a responsibility to show leadership in overcoming the difficult legacy of the past and constructively foster mutual trust, dialogue and tolerance, which are necessary for stability, a peaceful future and progress, Pisonero said.

Seselj went to the Hague Tribunal in 2003, on charges of inciting crimes against humanity, violations of the laws and customs of war in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

In the indictment, it was stated that with speeches and statements, he contributed to the perpetrators’ decision to commit crimes.

In 2018, the Appeals Chamber of the Mechanism for International Criminal Courts, the successor to the Hague Tribunal, sentenced Seselj to 10 years in prison for inciting persecution, deportation and forced displacement, forced relocation of Croats in the village of Hrtkovci in Vojvodina, in 1992.