Dutchbat soldiers who had to guard the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica in 1995 are being rehabilitated by the cabinet. A defense spokesperson confirmed this. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren will express their ‘recognition and appreciation’ to the Dutch UN soldiers, and agree that they have been sent on an impossible mission.
The ministers will address hundreds of soldiers at the Oranjekazerne in Schaarsbergen. Onno Eichelsheim, the country’s highest-ranking soldier, is also there. The defense spokesperson cannot say whether the cabinet will also apologize to the military on Saturday.
The cabinet had already promised to rehabilitate, following advice from a committee headed by Hans Borstlap. Due to the corona measures, it was not possible to have the ceremony earlier.
After the advice of Borstlap, the Dutchbat veterans (of the Dutch battalion that was active in Bosnia, among others) already received a compensation of 5000 euros. The cabinet will also ensure that veterans can visit Srebrenica again, in the context of processing.
Insufficiently supported
The Borstlap Committee concluded that a majority of Dutchbat soldiers did not feel sufficiently supported by Defence, the cabinet and society. The media also painted a too negative image of the mission, according to many veterans.
The siege of the enclave of Srebrenica ended in genocide: more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered by Bosnian Serb troops. The Dutch Blue Helmets could not prevent the mass murder. As a result, many Dutchbat soldiers still struggle with mental health problems†
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