Disputes arise over cooperation in locating missing persons in Balkans

Tensions are rising regarding the search for missing persons related to past conflicts in the Balkans. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Isidora Graorac, president of the Republic Organization of Families of Prisoners, Captured, Killed and Missing Civilians, has called on the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Savo Minić, to establish a dedicated republic office to accelerate the search for missing Serbs.

Graorac cited the recent discovery of two remains on Ozren, facilitated by a local researcher, as evidence that more remains can still be found. She criticized the Institute for Missing Persons of BiH for a perceived lack of effectiveness and engagement in these efforts.

In Croatia, State Secretary Darko Nekić reported that Serbia has failed to cooperate effectively regarding missing persons from the Homeland War. Nekić stated that despite sending 25 formal requests since 2016, Croatia has received almost no meaningful responses or documentation regarding primary and secondary grave locations, specifically concerning the Vukovar hospital and Borovo Commerce.

Croatia continues to search for 1,725 individuals whose burial sites remain unknown, including 1,341 missing persons and 384 deceased individuals. Proposed legislative changes in Croatia aim to allow legal heirs to initiate inheritance proceedings before a missing person is officially declared dead.