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On Monday 16th June, Hasan Nuhanovic and the family of genocide victim Rizo
Mustafic have their case against the Dutch State heard at the Hague district
Court. The parties are suing the Dutch state for failing to offer protection
to their family members who were in the United Nations proclaimed "Safe Area"
in July 1995 when the Serb military attacked the town of Srebrenica.
Although the case had been filed several years ago this is the first time
that Mr. Nuhanovic will be allowed to give evidence in session.
Liesbeth Zegveld, Mr. Nuhanovic's lawyer, expressed concern before the
hearing over a sudden and very late change of judges assigned to the case.
Judge Bart Punt who had heard the case from the start and who had given an
interim judgement favourable to the victims has been taken off the case.
A second case is to be heard at the same court on Wednesday 18th June. This
case is filed by the Mothers of Srebrenica Association representing some 6000
women who lost relatives during the massacres and differs from the first case
in that the case is lodged against both the Dutch State and the United Nations
(under whom the Dutch Battalion operated). The UN have attempted to plead
immunity to the case but this week's hearing is to determine whether or not
they will be required to make a representation in court.
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