Sandra Orlović replaces Nataša Kandić at the head of the Humanitarian Law Center
Having spent 20 years at the head of the Humanitarian Law Center (HLC), a NGO working on documenting human rights violations perpetrated during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, Nataša Kandić has stepped down as Executive Director in favour of her deputy, Sandra Orlović. In doing so, she has brought about a generational change in one of the most important NGOs in the region. Such a decision is not common practice in Serbia.
By virtue of its very establishment by the UN Security Council, the Hague Tribunal became a legal fact. Despite opposition from “patriotic forces”, the Republic of Serbia has been cooperating with the Hague Tribunal’s Prosecution, both by handing over (some of the) documents demanded by the court, and by extraditing indicted fugitives and providing security for the witnesses. The acquittals of Gotovina, Mrkač and Haradinaj will not put an end to the cooperation between Serbia’s state authorities and the Hague Tribunal, despite “patriotic” demands.
The Hague Tribunal’s recent acquittals of KLA wartime commander Ramush Haradinaj and Croatian generals Mladen Mrkač and Ante Gotovina have put the issue of responsibility towards the victims of the Yugoslav wars back on the agenda. Also being tested is the ability of the relevant states to provide adequate proof in support of the charges, rather than to express indignation after the fact.