# Balkan political debate over Hague tribunal rulings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-political-debate-over-hague-tribunal-rulings
> Updated: 2026-09-18T07:44:25.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Discussions regarding the legal interpretations of Hague tribunal rulings and their impact on Balkan political narratives have intensified. 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Murat Tahirović, president of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, asserted that international rulings refute political claims of ‘equal guilt’ among parties in the former Yugoslavia. He highlighted the legal distinction between Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE)—used to prove systemic, coordinated plans to forcibly remove populations—and command responsibility. Tahirović noted that the leadership of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Army were not convicted of JCE or genocide.

In Montenegro, political tension has emerged following remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Nika Đeljošaj and Deputy Speaker Nikola Camaj. The officials reportedly relativized a verdict from the Kosovo Specialised Chambers involving Hashim Thaçi and other figures. Civil activists condemned these statements, arguing they undermine the rule of law and incorrectly equate individual criminal responsibility with an entire ethnic group. Conversely, DNP leader Milan Knežević supported the officials, describing the Hague decision as ‘extremely unjust’ and noting it reflected sentiments held by Albanians regarding the Kosovo Liberation Army.

## Claims

- NGOs and civil activists have condemned statements by Nika Đeljošaj and Nikola Camaj regarding the Hague tribunal's verdict. (single source)
- Activists claim the officials' remarks relativize the first-instance verdict against Hashim Thaçi and others. (single source)
- DNP leader Milan Knežević congratulated Đeljošaj and Camaj for expressing what he claims all Albanians think about the KLA. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Montenegrin officials face criticism over Hague tribunal remarks

Montenegrin activists have condemned Deputy PM Nika Đeljošaj and Deputy Speaker Nikola Camaj for remarks relativizing the Hague tribunal's verdict against KLA leaders.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegrin-officials-face-criticism-over-hague-tribunal-remarks

### 2026-09-16: Hague rulings refute claims of equal guilt in Balkan conflicts

Murat Tahirović argues that Hague tribunal rulings distinguish between systemic Joint Criminal Enterprises and command responsibility, refuting claims of equal guilt in the Balkan conflicts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hague-rulings-refute-claims-of-equal-guilt-in-balkan-conflicts

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Cite as: Balkan political debate over Hague tribunal rulings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-political-debate-over-hague-tribunal-rulings