The 20th Anniversary of the UNSA Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law Marked

On the occasion of marking the 20th Anniversary of the UNSA Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law, the ceremony was held at the UNSA Rectorate’s Ceremonial Hall on 29 May 2014.

UNSA Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Dr. Faruk Mekic congratulated to the Institute representatives and held the welcome speech.  In his speech, Vice-Rector Mekic stressed the importance of the Institute.

“When it comes to actual scientific results in the fields of social sciences and humanities, the Institute is undoubtedly the representative member of the University of Sarajevo, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in the world" said Vice-Rector Mekic.

When speaking about the Institute and its results after 22 years, Dr. Mevludin Mekic, Chairman of the UNSA Steering Committee pointed out that it was an institution which could make proud even richer and more developed states. Recalling the Latin proverb “Sedar dolorem divinum opus est”( “What divine deed is reducing the pain”) , Dr. Mevludin Mekic said that just like that proverb, the Institute reduced the severe pain of all genocide victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond by proving the truth of a terrible crime.
„The Institute’s employees and associates, under the leadership of renowned academician and researcher Cekic also speak on behalf of all the murdered innocent victims, for which the present generation feels gratitude, and I hope and the future ones," said Dr. Mevludin Mekic.

The Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University was established in September 1992. Under extremely complex and difficult social, political, economic, military, and security conditions and complex internal developments in international relations.

In his opening address Prof. Dr. Smail Cekic, Institute’s Director presented the conception, development and functioning of the Institute during the period from 1992 to 2013.

“Twenty  two years are either too long or too short and relatively long period in which the bright pages of this research institutions of special social, scientific, national and state importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina were written, for the victims of genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also much wider for the development of scientific knowledge about one of the most complex social phenomenon and its scientific usefulness and social expediency "said Director Cekic.

Noting that the Institute went through certain stages, inseparable from the stages and phases of social, political, educational and scientific development of the society , which were marked by numerous personnel, material, financial, environmental and other problems, Director Cekic recalled the numerous realized research projects and conference on the subject topic (of national and international importance).

The Institute has published 110 publications. The employees of the Institute published 187 scientific papers in various magazines, and by other organizations and institutions’ journals 23. The status of the organizers, co-organizers or participants, scientists - researchers and explorers associates of the Institute had an active and prominent role in 172 scientific - national and international conferences, round tables and seminars. They promoted 330 books, done dozens of reviews, moderated promoted more than 120 books in the field of research of crimes against humanity and international law, and held 150 lectures and discussions in BiH and abroad.

“The Aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and genocide against Bosniaks are the subject of continuous research activities of the Institute, which is following the standard design research designated as the strategic ones. The central, fundamental, important research activity has been recorded as long-term obligations subject of research, established plans and programs of the Institute" said Director Cekic.

After the welcome address and introductory remarks, Academician Muhamed Filipovic spoke about the importance of researching the genocide  in the context of modern history. Prof. Mirko Pejanovic promoted the monograph “The creation, development and functioning of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law, University of Sarajevo from 1992 to 2013".

The Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law is a full member of the University of Sarajevo, which, as research institution, primarily thanks to the results of scientific research, achieved extraordinary significant results and scientific affirmation and respect in Europe and the world.