Rape Camp Vilina Vlas Hotel: Why Is The Internatonal Community Still Unmoved?

Yıl 2021, Sayı: 22, 131 - 160, 01.12.2021

Senad Sevdik

Öz

This research paper investigates the Vilina Vlas hotel in Visegrad city of Bosnia and Herzegovina which was used as a former rape camp for torturing, raping, beating, and killing innocent civilians, mostly Bosnian Muslim women. The main problematic and ethical issue of this paper regarding Vilina Vlas hotel is that it functions as a tourist place and tourists still accommodate and sleep in the same beds which women were attacked. The hotel receives high support from the Visegrad mayor, Republika Srpska entity’s Tourism Ministry, and from Serb ethnic nationalist politicians. These politicians and the local community of Visegrad constantly deny these crimes or erase any traces that can be used as evidence against them. Therefore, this research paper takes a new approach for trying to solve this denialism at the state level such as using OHR’s (Office of the High Representative) possible interventions (Bonn Powers) through building a monument near the hotel and definitely terminating all tourism activities of the hotel. This paper also highly values the suggestions of Vilina Vlas survivors during the creation of a memorial for victims. Thus, it asks the main research question of “What do survivors of Vilina Vlas demand from the current High Representative of BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to commemorate the rape victims of Vilina Vlas Hotel in Visegrad?” It proposes the combination of two theoretical frameworks which are conflict reconciliation and lexander Wendt’s constructivism for stressing to construct “collective identity and shared ideas” against rape, beatings, and killings of innocent civilians. The paper’s main argument is that the former rape camp of Vilina Vlas hotel must be closed and a monument must be built to remember all victims. The Serbian government has no choice rather than cooperate positively with the BiH government for closing Vilina Vlas hotel since they have a high historical responsibility for committing these crimes.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Bosnia and Herzegovina, War crimes, Rape camps, Vilina Vlas hotel, International Community, Women rights, Monument

Destekleyen Kurum

-

Proje Numarası

-

Tecavüz Kampı Vilina Vlas Oteli: Uluslararası Toplum Neden Hala Hareketsiz?

Öz

Bu araştırma makalesi, çoğunlukla Bosnalı Müslüman kadınlar olmak üzere masum sivillere işkence etmek, tecavüz etmek, fiziksel saldırı ve öldürmek için eski bir tecavüz kampı olarak kullanılan Bosna Hersek’in Visegrad kentindeki Vilina Vlas otelini incelemektedir. Bu makalenin Vilina Vlas oteli ile ilgili temel sorunu ve etik konusu, bir turistik yer olarak işlev görmesi ve turistlerin hala kadınların saldırıya uğradığı aynı yataklarda konaklaması ve uyumasıdır. Otel, Visegrad belediye başkanı, Sırp Cumhuriyeti tarafının Turizm Bakanlığı ve Sırp etnik-milliyetçi politikacılardan yüksek destek almaktadır. Bu politikacılar ve Visegrad yerel halkı, bu suçları sürekli olarak inkar etmekte veya aleyhine delil olarak kullanılabilecek her türlü izi silmektedir. Bu nedenle, bu araştırma makalesi, bu inkarcılığı devlet düzeyinde çözmeye çalışmak için, otelin yakınında bir anıt inşa ederek YTD’nin (Yüksek Temsilcilik Ofisi) olası müdahalelerini (Bonn Yetkileri) kullanmak ve tüm turizm faaliyetlerini kesinlikle sona erdirmek gibi yeni bir yaklaşım benimsemektedir. Bu makale aynı zamanda kurbanlar için bir anıtın oluşturulması bağlamında Vilina Vlas’tan kurtulanların önerilerine de büyük değer vermektedir. Böylece ana araştırma sorusu olan “Vilina Vlas’tan kurtulanlar, mevcut Bosna-Hersek Yüksek Temsilcisi’nden, Visegrad’daki Vilina Vlas Otel’in tecavüz mağdurlarını anmak için ne talep etmektedir?” sorusunu sormaktadır. Masum sivillerin tecavüze uğramasına, dövülmesine ve öldürülmesine karşı “kolektif kimlik ve ortak fikirler” inşa etmeyi vurgulayan çatışma uzlaşması ve Alexander Wendt’in inşaacılığı olan iki teorik çerçevenin birleşimini önermektedir. Bu araştırma makalesi’nin ana argümanı, eski tecavüz kampı olan Vilina Vlas otelinin kapatılması ve tüm kurbanları anmak için bir anıt inşa edilmesi gerektiğidir. Bu suçları işlemek ve sebep olmak konusunda yüksek bir tarihsel sorumluluğa sahip olduğundan dolayı Sırp Hükümetinin Vilina Vlas otelini kapatma konusunda Bosna-Hersek hükümetiyle pozitif işbirliği yapmaktan başka seçeneği bulunmamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Bosnia and Herzegovina, War crimes, Rape camps, Vilina Vlas hotel, International Community, Women rights, Monument

Proje Numarası

-

Kaynakça

• Ron, James. "Boundaries and violence: Repertoires of state action along the Bosnia/Yugoslavia divide." Theory and Society 29, no. 5 (2000): 609-649.
• Ron, James. "Boundaries and violence: Repertoires of state action along the Bosnia/Yugoslavia divide."...
• Mitchell-Bajic, Emily. "Navigating Research On Conflict-Related Sexual Violence In The Post-Yugoslav Space."
• Williamson, Holly. Towards an Understanding of Combatants' Motivations: The Implications of the Links Between Gender Bias and Political Violence. Arizona State University, 2019.
• Rajiva, Mythili, and Agatha Schwartz. "Haunting and the Aesthetics of Trauma in A Woman in Berlin and For Those Who Can Tell No Tales: Redefining Cultural Memory." Slavonica 23, no. 2 (2018): 75-90.
• Jurich, Joscelyn. "Haunting Lessons." Етноантрополошки проблеми 11, no. 2 (2016): 435-454.
• Como, Jennifer R. Historical Taxonomy of Mass Rape in Wartime. Western Illinois University, 2019.
• Fregonese, Sara. "Holidays in the danger zone. Entanglements of war and tourism." (2018): 91-93.
• Edina Bećirević, “Hotel Vilina Vlas, Višegrad — Then and Now, Commemorating Rape Victims,” www.spiritofbosnia.org, 2012, http://www.spiritofbosnia.org/v7n2/hotel-vilina-vlas-visegrad-then-and-now-commemorating-rape-victims/
• Rachel Irwin, “Visegrad in Denial over Grisly Past,” iwpr.net, 2009, https://iwpr.net/global-voices/visegrad-denial-over-grisly-past
• Simon Jennings, “Lukic Trial Ruling Provokes Outcry,” iwpr.net, 2008, https://iwpr.net/global-voices/lukic-trial-ruling-provokes-outcry
• Simic, Olivera, and Zala Volcic. "In the land of wartime rape: Bosnia, cinema, and reparation." Griffith University Law School Research Paper 16-01 (2016). Gilboa, Dahlia. "Mass rape: War on women." (2001): 1-7.
• Stiglmayer, Alexandra. "Mass Rape: The War Against Women in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Edited by." (1998).
• Mujuzi, Jamil Ddamulira. "Is There a Need for the ICTY to Clarify the Difference (s) between Life Imprisonment and Imprisonment for the Remainder of the Offender's Life-The Galic and Lukic Decisions." Int'l Crim. L. Rev. 10 (2010): 855.
• Gutaj, Perparim. "Patterns of Ethnic Cleansing in the Balkans." PhD diss., The University of Utah, 2019.
• Paaso, Amber Cheri. Recognizing gender-based violence in armed conflict: Incorporating the voices of women in international humanitarian law. Florida Atlantic University, 2004.
• Quillinan, Sarah. "Remembering wartime rape in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina." PhD diss., 2018.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, “Refworld | War Criminals in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska: Who Are the People in Your Neighbourhood?,” Refworld, 2000, https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a6f53.html
• Denis Dzidic, “‘20,000 Women Sexually Assaulted’ during Bosnian War,” Balkan Insight, September 29, 2015, https://balkaninsight.com/2015/09/29/bosnian-rape-victims-still-waiting-for-justice-09-28-2015/
• Hamed&Himzo Oprasic, “In Memoriam: Jasmina Ahmetspahic,” Visegrad Genocide Memories, February 28, 2010, https://genocideinvisegrad.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/967/
• Web.archive, “Annex VIII : Prison Camps (Part 8/10),” web.archive.org, February 3, 2007, https://web.archive.org/web/20070203101023/http://www.ess.uwe.ac.uk/comexpert/ANX/VIII-08.htm#III.A.85
• Nerma Jelacic, “Visegrad Rape Victims Say Their Cries Go Unheard,” Balkan Insight, December 10, 2007, https://balkaninsight.com/2007/12/10/visegrad-rape-victims-say-their-cries-go-unheard/
• NDTV, “100 Skeletons of War Victims Found in Lake,” NDTV.com, 2010, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/100-skeletons-of-war-victims-found-in-lake-437450
• Ehlimana Memisevic, “Serb Authorities Want Tourists to Stay in a Hotel That Was Once a Rape Camp,” Trtworld, 2020, https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/serb-authorities-want-tourists-to-stay-in-a-hotel-that-was-once-a-rape-camp-38050
• Nedim Dervisbegovic, “Hope for Bosnia Town Whose Bridge Will Shine Again,” Reuters, May 26, 2007, https://www.reuters.com/article/idUKL261004720070526?edition-redirect=uk
• Dzenana Halimovic, “Mortified Bosnians Seek to ‘Ungoogle’ an Ethnic-Cleansing Hotel of Horrors,” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, 2020, https://www.rferl.org/a/mortified-bosnians-seek-to-ungoogle-an-ethnic-cleansing-hotel-of-horrors/30847067.html
• Dzenana Halimovic, “Mortified Bosnians Seek to ‘Ungoogle’ an Ethnic-Cleansing Hotel of Horrors,” RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, 2020, https://www.rferl.org/a/mortified-bosnians-seek-to-ungoogle-an-ethnic-cleansing-hotel-of-horrors/30847067.html
• Karčić, Hikmet. "Uncovering the Truth: The Lake Perućac Exhumations in Eastern Bosnia." Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs 37, no. 1 (2017): 114-128.
• Genocchio, Benjamin. "The subject of rape: Dennis Del Favero at the Motel Vilina Vlas." Third Text 9, no. 33 (1995): 98-100.
• Jeftić, Alma. "The Role of Memorials in the Post-Conflict Society: Active Memory and (Im) Possibility of Reconciliation." In Book Of Proceedings, p. 152. 2013. Fischer, Martina. "Transitional justice and reconciliation: Theory and practice." (2011).
• Staub, Ervin. "Reconciliation after genocide, mass killing, or intractable conflict: Understanding the roots of violence, psychological recovery, and steps toward a general theory." Political psychology 27, no. 6 (2006): 867-894.
• Magill, Clare, and Brandon Hamber. "“If They Don’t Start Listening to Us, the Future Is Going to Look the Same as the Past”: Young People and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina." Youth & Society 43, no. 2 (2011): 509-527.
• Micinski, Nicholas R. "NGO frequent flyers: Youth organisations and the undermining of reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina." Journal of Peacebuilding & Development 11, no. 1 (2016): 99-104.
• Clark, Janine Natalya. "Missing persons, reconciliation and the view from below: a case study of Bosnia‐Hercegovina." Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 10, no. 4 (2010): 425-442.
• Kostić, Roland. "Transitional justice and reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina: Whose memories, whose justice?." Sociologija 54, no. 4 (2012): 649-666.
• Strupinskienė, Lina. "“What is reconciliation and are we there yet?” Different types and levels of reconciliation: A case study of Bosnia and Herzegovina." Journal of Human Rights 16, no. 4 (2017): 452-472.
• Guzzini, Stefano, and Anna Leander. "A social theory for international relations: An appraisal of Alexander Wendt’s theoretical and disciplinary synthesis." Journal of International Relations and Development 4, no. 4 (2001): 316-338.
• Wendt, Alexander. "Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics." International organization 46, no. 2 (1992): 391-425.
• Mengshu, Zhan. "A Brief Overview of Alexander Wendt’s Constructivism." (2020).
• Wendt, Alexander. "Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics." International organization 46, no. 2 (1992): 391-425.
• Keohane, Robert. "After Hegemony Princeton." NJ: Princeton University (1984). & Russett, Bruce M., and John D. Sullivan. "Collective goods and international organization." International Organization 25, no. 4 (1971): 845-865.
• Wendt, Alexander. "Collective identity formation and the international state." American political science review 88, no. 2 (1994): 384-396.
• Ruggie, John Gerard. "Multilateralism: the anatomy of an institution." International organization 46, no. 3 (1992): 561-598.
• Mr Dermot et al., “United Nations Counsel for the Accused” (, 2009), https://www.icty.org/x/cases/milan_lukic_sredoje_lukic/tjug/en/090720_j.pdf
• Stringer, Mr Douglas, Ms Barbara Goy, and Ms Laurel Baig. "International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991." Prosecutor (2016).
• Wikipedia Contributors, “Momir Savić,” Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation, October 12, 2020), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momir_Savi%C4%87
• Stringer, Mr Douglas, Ms Barbara Goy, and Ms Laurel Baig. "International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991." Prosecutor (2016).
• Paaso, Amber Cheri. Recognizing gender-based violence in armed conflict: Incorporating the voices of women in international humanitarian law. Florida Atlantic University, 2004.
• Dixon, Rosalind. "Rape as a crime in international humanitarian law: where to from here?." European journal of international law 13, no. 3 (2002): 697-719.
• Milan Lukić and Sredoje Lukić, “Milan Lukıć And Sredoje Lukıć Wıll Be Tried Jointly At The ICTY” (, 2008), https://www.icty.org/x/file/Outreach/view_from_hague/jit_lukic_en.pdf
• Emma-Graham Harrison, “Back on the Tourist Trail: The Hotel Where Women Were Raped and Tortured,” the Guardian, January 28, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/28/bosnia-hotel-rape-murder-war-crimes
• Carlo Angerer, “War Crimes Took Place in This Hotel. You Can Book a Room.,” euronews, June 3, 2018, https://www.euronews.com/2018/06/03/hotel-hospital-where-war-crimes-occurred-remain-open-bosnia-herzegovina-n878086
• TRTWORLD, “One-Woman Army,” www.youtube.com, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2vR8hN7y30
• BBC News, “Grim History of Bosnia’s ‘Rape Hotel’ - BBC News,” YouTube Video, YouTube, April 8, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPgK8wfbxTY
• Remembering Srebrenica, “Breaking the Silence - the Women of Bosnia,” www.youtube.com, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doUqTUkI1qk
• Emma-Graham Harrison, “Back on the Tourist Trail: The Hotel Where Women Were Raped and Tortured,” …
• Emma-Graham Harrison, “Back on the Tourist Trail: The Hotel Where Women Were Raped and Tortured,” …