Understandings of Law in Croatia

Abstract

The inconsistent effects of the transitional justice process in Croatia have allowed a tolerance for certain crimes to develop, such as revenge crimes, crimes of passion or killings of Serb civilians. Transitional justice institutions had to operate in the context of localised complexities and normative expectations in attempting to instil a rule of law norm in the public, which at times did not take hold. This chapter unpacks this. Respondents regarded all domestic and international institutions, including legal ones, as corrupt and inefficient, which they were consequently dissatisfied with and distrustful of. They felt powerless in an unresponsive system where justice was imposed from above. This allowed for an apologetic attitude towards certain crimes, based on an understanding of the law that was not legally consistent but was consistent with emotional and political narratives, such as the dominant war narrative.