# Valentin Inzko

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**Valentin Inzko** (born 22 May 1949) is an Austrian diplomat who served as the [High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/High_Representative_for_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) from 2009 to 2021.[1][2] He also served as the [European Union Special Representative](/source/European_Union_Special_Representative) for Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2009 to 2021.

## Background

Inzko was born into a [Carinthian Slovene](/source/Carinthian_Slovene) family in [Klagenfurt](/source/Klagenfurt), [Carinthia](/source/Carinthia_(state)). His father, Valentin Inzko Sr., was a renowned cultural and political activist of the local Slovene minority. Valentin Jr. attended a Slovene-German bilingual school in Suetschach (Slovene: *Sveče*) in the municipality of [Feistritz im Rosental](/source/Feistritz_im_Rosental) (Slovene: *Bistrica v Rožu*). After finishing the Slovene language high school in Klagenfurt in 1967, he enrolled in the [University of Graz](/source/Faculty_of_Law_of_the_University_of_Graz), where he studied law and Slavic philology. Between 1972 and 1974, he attended the [Diplomatic Academy of Vienna](/source/Diplomatic_Academy_of_Vienna).

Besides Slovene and [German](/source/German_language), Inzko is fluent in [English](/source/English_language), [Serbo-Croatian](/source/Serbo-Croatian), [Russian](/source/Russian_language) and [Czech](/source/Czech_language).[3] Among other works, he has translated the essays of [Václav Havel](/source/V%C3%A1clav_Havel)'s *Living in Truth* and *[The Power of the Powerless](/source/The_Power_of_the_Powerless)* into Slovene.[4]

Inzko is married to [Argentine Slovene](/source/Argentine_Slovene) opera singer [Bernarda Fink Inzko](/source/Bernarda_Fink_Inzko).[citation needed]

## Early career

In 1974, Inzko entered the Austrian diplomatic service. Between 1982 and 1986, he worked as press attache at the Austrian embassy in [Belgrade](/source/Belgrade). After that, he worked at the Austrian mission to the [United Nations](/source/United_Nations). Between 1990 and 1996, he worked as the cultural attache at the Austrian embassy in the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic), and between 1996 and 1999, he was the Austrian ambassador to [Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina).

Between October and December 1992, Inzko was a member of the [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe](/source/Organization_for_Security_and_Co-operation_in_Europe) mission to the [Sandžak](/source/Sand%C5%BEak) region in [Serbia](/source/Serbia). In 2005, he was named as the Austrian ambassador to [Slovenia](/source/Slovenia). In June 2010, Inzko was elected to be chairman of the National Council of Carinthian Slovenes.[5]

## High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2009–2021)

In March 2009, Inzko became the seventh [high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/High_representative_for_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina), replacing the [Slovak](/source/Slovakia) diplomat [Miroslav Lajčák](/source/Miroslav_Laj%C4%8D%C3%A1k). Inzko thus became the second Carinthian Slovene to occupy that position, after [Wolfgang Petritsch](/source/Wolfgang_Petritsch) who served as the high representative between 1999 and 2002.

On 9 June 2009, Inzko used [his powers](/source/High_Representative_for_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina#The_"Bonn_Powers"_of_the_OHR) for the first time and sacked two police officials. The two officials were [Bosniak](/source/Bosniaks) Himzo Đonko, a police commissioner in the [Herzegovina-Neretva Canton](/source/Herzegovina-Neretva_Canton), blamed for threatening Bosnian international officials in a bid to obstruct an investigation in his abuse of power accusations, and [Bosnian Serb](/source/Serbs_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) Radislav Jovičić, an official in the [State Investigation and Protection Agency](/source/State_Investigation_and_Protection_Agency), alleged to have used his subordinates to illegally follow and observe Inzko's staff.[6]

In December 2020, Inzko, with the help of [Sonja Karadžić-Jovičević](/source/Sonja_Karad%C5%BEi%C4%87-Jovi%C4%8Devi%C4%87), succeeded in having a plaque honoring convicted war criminal and [Srebrenica genocide](/source/Srebrenica_massacre) perpetrator [Radovan Karadžić](/source/Radovan_Karad%C5%BEi%C4%87), Sonja's father, removed after threatening Bosnian Serb leader and [Presidency](/source/Presidency_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) member [Milorad Dodik](/source/Milorad_Dodik) with [European Union](/source/European_Union) sanctions if the plaque was not removed within six months.[7]

In May 2021, Inzko demanded the withdrawal of [Republika Srpska honors](/source/Orders,_decorations_and_medals_of_Republika_Srpska) for convicted war criminals, stating in his letter that "the [glorification of war criminals](/source/Post-conflict_reception_of_war_criminals) directly hurts and provokes those who suffered the consequences of the [war](/source/Bosnian_War) and damages the memory of the victims". This was the first time that he used the Bonn powers in eleven years. The [National Assembly of Republika Srpska](/source/National_Assembly_(Republika_Srpska)) refused to withdraw the honors and claimed that Inzko's demand violates human rights.[8]

On 27 May 2021, he resigned from his office of the high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with German politician [Christian Schmidt](/source/Christian_Schmidt) set to become the new high representative on 1 August 2021.[9]

In the last ten days of his term as high representative, on 23 July 2021, Inzko unexpectedly imposed amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina which banned the [genocide denial](/source/Bosnian_genocide_denial) and relativization of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[10][11] He stated that the growing denial of genocide "represents a direct barrier to peace, reconciliation and trust-building and ultimately undermines the prospects for a secure, peaceful future."[11] This was met with heavy criticism by Bosnian Serb politicians, especially by Milorad Dodik, stating "We [Republika Srpska] are forced to go into [dissolution](/source/Proposed_secession_of_Republika_Srpska)" and repeating many times that the "genocide did not happen."[12] While the Bosnian Serb politicians were criticizing Inzko, Bosniak politicians were praising him for the imposed changes, with Bosniak leader [Bakir Izetbegović](/source/Bakir_Izetbegovi%C4%87) congratulating Inzko for his decision.[13] The [chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Chairman_of_the_Presidency_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) and its [Croat](/source/Croats_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina) member [Željko Komšić](/source/%C5%BDeljko_Kom%C5%A1i%C4%87) also praised Inzko for his "brave decision to impose these much necessary changes."[14] Internationally, Inzko got support from Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister [Gordan Grlić-Radman](/source/Gordan_Grli%C4%87-Radman),[15] as well as from the [United States Embassy](/source/Embassy_of_the_United_States,_Sarajevo) in [Sarajevo](/source/Sarajevo).[16]

On 1 August 2021, Christian Schmidt officially became the new high representative, succeeding Inzko.[17]

## Honours

- [Austria](/source/Austria): [Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria](/source/Decoration_of_Honour_for_Services_to_the_Republic_of_Austria) (2012)[18]

## References

1. ["Ambassador Valentin Inzko Appointed As The Next High Representative"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090329203525/http://www.ohr.int/pic/default.asp?content_id=43178). Office of the High Representative and the EU Special Representative. 2009-03-13. Archived from [the original](http://www.ohr.int/pic/default.asp?content_id=43178) on 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2009-03-13.

1. ["Inzko takes over as High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090604172514/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/27/content_11083488.htm). *[Xinhua News Agency](/source/Xinhua_News_Agency)*. 2009-03-27. Archived from [the original](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/27/content_11083488.htm) on 2009-06-04.

1. ["Latest news from around Great Britain"](https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews?cp-documentid=15048981). *Msn.com*. Retrieved 31 May 2019.

1. ["COBISS/OPAC - sl"](http://cobiss2.izum.si/scripts/cobiss?ukaz=DISP&id=2203257896324544&rec=10&sid=1). *Cobiss2.izum.si*. Retrieved 31 May 2019.[dead link]

1. ["Rat der Kärntner Slowenen: Inzko zu Obmann gewählt"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120113192808/http://www.kleinezeitung.at/kaernten/2378275/rat-kaerntner-slowenen-inzko-zu-obmann-gewaehlt.story). *[Kleine Zeitung](/source/Kleine_Zeitung)*. Jun 20, 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.kleinezeitung.at/kaernten/2378275/rat-kaerntner-slowenen-inzko-zu-obmann-gewaehlt.story) on 2012-01-13.

1. ["Bosnia peace envoy sacks 2 police officers"](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/06/09/Bosnia-peace-envoy-sacks-2-police-officers/37341244571939/). *Upi.com*. Retrieved 31 May 2019.

1. Kovačević, Vladimir & Grebo, Lamija (2020). ["Balkan transitional justice"](https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/10/tribute-to-radovan-karadzic-removed-after-daughter-intervenes/). *Tribute to Radovan Karadzic Removed after Daughter Intervene*

1. Kovacevic, Danijel (12 May 2021). ["Bosnian Serbs Reject Call to Revoke War Criminals' Honours"](https://balkaninsight.com/2021/05/12/bosnian-serbs-reject-call-to-revoke-war-criminals-honours/). *Balkan Insight*. Retrieved 12 May 2021.

1. S.H. (27 May 2021). ["Valentin Inzko podnio ostavku, novi visoki predstavnik dolazi 1. augusta"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/valentin-inzko-podnio-ostavku-novi-visoki-predstavnik-dolazi-1-augusta/210527088) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 27 May 2021.

1. M.G. (23 July 2021). ["Valentin Inzko nametnuo izmjene zakona kojim se zabranjuje negiranje genocida u BiH"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/inzko-nametnuo-zakon-o-zabrani-negiranja-genocida-u-bosni-i-hercegovini/210723055) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. Hronešová, Jessie Barton & Hasić, Jasmin (14 June 2023). "The 2021 Memory Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Reconciliation or Polarization?". *[Journal of Genocide Research](/source/Journal_of_Genocide_Research)*. [doi:10.1080/14623528.2023.2205687](https://doi.org/10.1080/14623528.2023.2205687). [hdl:10278/5026381](https://hdl.handle.net/10278/5026381)

1. R.D. (23 July 2021). ["Dodik reagovao na Inzkovu odluku ponovivši negiranje genocida: Prisiljeni smo da krenemo u disoluciju"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/dodik-reagovao-na-inzkovu-odluku-ponovivsi-negiranje-genocida-prisiljeni-smo-da-krenemo-u-disoluciju/210723069) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. M.G. (23 July 2021). ["Izetbegović čestitao Inzku: Skinuo je hipoteku genocida sa časnog dijela srpskog naroda"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/izetbegovic-cestitao-inzku-skinuo-je-hipoteku-genocida-sa-casnog-dijela-srpskog-naroda/210723083) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. M.G. (23 July 2021). ["Komšić o zabrani negiranja genocida: Trebalo je i prije, ali bolje ikad nego nikad"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/komsic-o-zabrani-negiranja-genocida-trebalo-je-i-prije-ali-bolje-ikad-nego-nikad/210723070) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. M.G. (23 July 2021). ["Grlić-Radman: Hrvatska podržava Inzkovu odluku o zabrani negiranja genocida"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/grlic-radman-hrvatska-podrzava-inzkovu-odluku-o-zabrani-negiranja-genocida/210723142) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. N.O. (23 July 2021). ["Ambasada SAD-a: Zabrana negiranja genocida je početna tačka za konkretniji razgovor"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/ambasada-sad-a-zabrana-negiranja-genocida-je-pocetna-tacka-za-konkretniji-razgovor/210723072) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

1. G.M. (1 August 2021). ["Ima li Schmidt rješenje za "bosanski lonac"?"](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/schmidt-od-danas-obnasa-duznost-visokog-predstavnika-ima-li-rjesenje-za-bosanski-lonac/210801005) (in bs). Klix.ba. Retrieved 1 August 2021.

1. ["Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour"](http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf) (in German). *Parlament.gv.at*. p. 1923. Retrieved 2013-01-13.

## External links

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Valentin Inzko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Inzko) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentin_Inzko?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.