This paper explores the role of images in facilitating debates on the
responsibility of convicted war criminals. Previous research on the mediation of
war crime trials in Serbia has mainly focused on political and media discourses
or everyday practices as verbal or textual modes of communication, showing the
dominant nationalism and widespread denial, with convicted war criminals
appearing as heroes and celebrities. This article argues that the normalization
of convicts was partially realized through the avoidance of atrocity images and
the prevalence of iconic images of convicts, who are described as persons “freed
by the court.” The paper explores two instances when iconic images of convicts
served as catalysts in debates on their criminal responsibility, pointing out that
images might limit the scope of the debate, and condition the type of questions
posed. Archival atrocity images, on the other hand, might provide much-needed
context and evidence about crimes. Considering the powerful role of images, the
article urges a more systematic analysis of images in the transitional justice
field, as some of the images turn into symbolic presentations of the past for
future generations.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:92201 |
| Date | 21 June 2024 |
| Creators | Ristić, Katarina |
| Publisher | de Gruyter |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 2035-5262, 2036-4601, 10.1515/pol-2019-0012 |
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