Srebrenica Memorial Center Director Alleges Political Pressure

Emir Suljagić, director of the Srebrenica Memorial Center, recently spoke out on social media. He claims the institution is under attack. Suljagić responded to remarks made by Srđan Amidžić, the Finance Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also sent a message to American senators and members of the US House of Representatives.

Suljagić believes that recent events concerning the Memorial Center are a political intimidation campaign. He says it is not a proper investigation. He accuses Amidžić, along with Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović, of being part of this campaign. According to Suljagić, Minister Amidžić is personally stopping laws. These laws are needed to make the Srebrenica Memorial Center more independent and financially stable. Suljagić views this as a political attack against Bosniaks in Srebrenica. He states this attack is based solely on their ethnicity and their place of work.

Amidžić denied Suljagić's claims. He said he does not understand Suljagić's "nervousness" or "hysterical reactions." Amidžić stated there is no reason for fear if the institution operates legally and openly. He added that Suljagić's own colleagues reported him, not Dodik or Cvijanović. Amidžić emphasized that those who follow the law have nothing to worry about. He questioned why a standard legal process is being turned into a political issue. Amidžić concluded that neither Suljagić nor the Memorial Center are above the law. He stated they are not outside the reach of the rule of law.