As Long As Sarajevo Exists by Kemal Kurspahić

But as someone who practiced journalism under fire-running a daily from the atomic-bomb shelter at the frontline of the besieged Bosnian capital of Sarajevo-I have a great admiration for colleagues who decided to testify in order to help bring to justice those responsible for genocide. And I made my decision not because of my recent association with the United Nations (as a spokesman for the Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, a position that has nothing to do with this debate), but because of my conflicted feelings about the issue.Īs a longtime journalist, I understand the concerns of news organizations-maintaining professional impartiality, avoiding increased risks to journalists in future conflicts if they are perceived as potential witnesses in prosecution of war crimes, and protecting sources’ and reporters’ access to war zones. “We will understand if you can’t sign it as someone now working for the United Nations,” the friend told me. I was asked to sign the petition supporting the refusal by veteran Washington Post reporter Jonathan Randal to appear in court. Photo courtesy of Reuters/ICTY TV.Last year I was approached by a member of one of the 34 news organizations that were campaigning against the ability of the war crimes tribunal to compel journalists to testify at The Hague tribunal.

British Broadcasting Corporation’s former Belgrade correspondent, Jacky Rowland, gives evidence in August 2002 against ex-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

As Long As Sarajevo Exists by Kemal Kurspahić