Lagumdžija and Bleeker on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) in Light of Current Developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ambassador Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija met with Ms. Mô Bleeker, the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), on February 25, 2025, at the premises of the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in New York. Special Adviser Bleeker plays a key role in drafting the Secretary-General’s reports, gathering information from member states, and presenting recommendations on the Responsibility to Protect to the UN General Assembly.

Ambassador Dr. Lagumdžija expressed satisfaction with both his personal cooperation and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s collaboration with Ms. Mô Bleeker regarding the responsibility of states to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. Given its tragic past experiences, Bosnia and Herzegovina pays special attention to the issue of the Responsibility to Protect, ensuring that such events never happen again to anyone in the world. In this context, the Srebrenica Resolution, adopted by the General Assembly, serves not only as a significant acknowledgment but also as an educational tool to remind and inform younger generations about the dangers and prevention of crimes against humanity and genocide. This July will mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, which, for the first time, will be commemorated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the organization of the UN Secretariat.

Considering the current global situation, including conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Dr. Lagumdžija emphasized that states and international organizations must take all available measures and actions to uphold the Responsibility to Protect in vulnerable areas and populations. He highlighted the critical importance of establishing early warning systems within states and regions to provide timely alerts and mobilize national and international actors for prompt action to protect people and states from negative developments.

In this light, he noted that the actions of certain politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as Milorad Dodik, who disregard the constitution, judicial institutions, and the legal system as a whole, serve as a red flag and an early warning sign for the international community to take appropriate measures. Only through timely intervention can crimes like those witnessed three decades ago be prevented. For these reasons, the role of international instruments in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains crucial, particularly the continued presence of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the principles underlying the composition of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should be maintained until the country becomes a member of the European Union.

Judicial and state institutions, along with the indispensable role of the international community and the High Representative as the guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement, must put an end to the brutal attacks on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s judiciary. This should send a clear message that the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is not just an empty phrase but a binding principle of international law and the rule of law.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser expressed great interest in Dr. Lagumdžija’s experiences and perspectives, emphasizing that the Secretary-General’s 2025 report will focus on emerging trends in various regions and efforts to develop and implement early warning systems at the national and regional levels. The report will also outline a practical playbook for states, regions, and international institutions on preventing negative developments and protecting populations and states.

Ms. Bleeker stated that the 2025 UN Secretary-General’s Report on the Responsibility to Protect will be centered on assessing the progress made in implementing the R2P principle over the past 20 years, analyzing the challenges faced by member states, and identifying ways to enhance collective efforts to protect populations from atrocities such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing. The significance of the 2025 report is heightened by the fact that it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the World Summit Outcome Document, which established the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle.

Both parties agreed to continue cooperation in the coming period to strengthen the implementation of the Responsibility to Protect principle.