A Bosnian woman weeps next to the grave of her relative who was killed in the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995.

The families say the Netherlands should be held responsible and pay compensation after the Dutch troops failed to prevent the massacre of more than 7,500 men and boys, many of whom were summarily executed. It was the worst civilian slaughter in Europe since World War II.

Although a previous Dutch government accepted political responsibility, the current administration's lawyer said outside the courtroom that the victims' families should seek compensation from Serbia, not the Netherlands.

The Hague District Court is holding preliminary hearings to decide whether there are sufficient grounds for the suit to come to trial. If it succeeds about 50 other cases could follow.

Attorneys for relatives have in the past publicly demanded $2.6 billion in compensation from the Dutch state as the starting point for negotiations in a settlement.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 21, 2005
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