“THE WHISTLE BLOWER”

The Whistle Blower a co-production of Canada, Germany, United States, it was filmed in
Romania from October to December 2009 and released in the year 2010. The movie is directed
by “Larysa Kondracki”. This movie was inspired from the book “Whistle blower”.
SUMMARY

The movie is based on the true story of Kathryn Bolkovac, a UN peacekeeper, and policewoman
who discovers a human trafficking ring in post-war Bosnia.

Kathryn Bolkovac (played by Rachel Weisz) is a divorced single mother from Nebraska who
takes a job with a private military contractor called Democra Security in Bosnia. She is hired as
part of the UN peacekeeping mission to help restore law and order after the Bosnian War. She is
initially optimistic about the mission and the impact it could have on the local community.

However, she soon discovers that many of her fellow peacekeepers and police officers are
involved in a human trafficking ring, where young girls from Eastern Europe are forced into
prostitution. The girls are held captive in secret locations, and those who try to escape are beaten
or killed.

Kathryn is horrified by what she discovers and tries to report it to her superiors. However, she
soon realizes that the UN, the US State Department, and other international organizations are
involved in the trafficking ring. She is warned to drop the case by her colleagues and even
threatened with violence.

Kathryn is undeterred and continues to investigate the case. She enlists the help of a local human
rights activist named Raya (played by Vanessa Redgrave) and together they collect evidence of
the trafficking ring. Kathryn also begins to build a relationship with one of the girls held captive
in the ring, a Ukrainian named Irka (played by Roxana Condurache).

As Kathryn gets closer to exposing the trafficking ring, she is subjected to intimidation and
harassment by her superiors. She is fired from her job and threatened with legal action. She is
forced to leave Bosnia and return to the US.

However, Kathryn is determined to see justice done and decides to sue Democra Security for
wrongful termination. She enlists the help of a lawyer named Madeleine Rees (played by Monica
Bellucci), who is also a human rights activist. With Madeleine's help, Kathryn is able to build a
strong case against Democra Security and the trafficking ring.
The case goes to trial, and Kathryn and her legal team present the evidence they have collected.
Despite attempts by the defense to discredit her, Kathryn is able to prove that the trafficking ring
exists and that Democra Security was complicit in it. The company is forced to pay a settlement
to Kathryn, and several of the peacekeepers involved in the trafficking ring are arrested and
prosecuted.

The film ends with Kathryn returning to Bosnia to visit Irka and to continue her work as a human
rights activist. She reflects on the difficult journey she has been on and the challenges she has
faced, but she remains optimistic about the future and the potential for positive change. "The
Whistleblower" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores the issues of corruption,
human trafficking, and the challenges faced by those who try to speak out against injustice.
Through the story of Kathryn Bolkovac, the film highlights the importance of standing up for
what is right, even in the face of great danger and adversity.

ICJ - CONVICTIONS

Trafficking in human beings is a widespread contemporary phenomenon, and its most prevalent
form is trafficking for sexual exploitation - popularly known as sex trafficking - with women
constituting most of the victims.

But the sexual enslavement of women and girls in the 1990s Bosnian war, although it has all the
elements of trafficking, has never been discussed.

T he Bosnian war is also known for so-called ‘rape camps’ and other forms of sexual slavery
which sometimes involved effectively forced marriages, as well as forced pregnancies, a
phenomenon which has been significantly less examined. The best-known case, and also the first
judgment handed down by the ICTY that treated sexual enslavement and rape as crimes against
humanity, was in the trial of Bosnian Serb Army commander Dragoljub Kunarac and his
subordinates Radomir Kovac and Zoran Vukovic. After the takeover of the eastern Bosnian
town of Foca by Bosnian Serb forces in the spring of 1992, Bosniak men were detained in the
local prison, while women and children were held at various locations and repeatedly raped.
They were also occasionally taken by soldiers to other private houses and flats, where they were
raped, sexually exploited and abused. Some of the female victims were as young as 12 and 15.

Before the ICTY started operating, crimes of sexual violence during wartime were not
prosecuted by domestic courts. But despite progress in prosecuting and punishing such crimes,
research shows that although numerous perpetrators have been tried, many have not.

Victims’ testimonies and transcripts of the trials of men who raped sexually-enslaved women
contain many names of individuals who have not been brought to justice – suggesting that more
connections between perpetrators of wartime sexual violence and crimes involving trafficking
might still be undiscovered.

Few notable cases related to human trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovnia are:

1. The "Osvetnici" Case - In 2002, a case known as the "Osvetnici" (Avengers) case made
headlines in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The case involved a group of individuals who were
accused of trafficking women from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia for the purpose of
sexual exploitation. The case was significant because it was one of the first human
trafficking cases to be prosecuted in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the end of the
war.
2. The "Sarajevo 4" Case - In 2003, four individuals were arrested and charged with
trafficking women from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Bosnia and Herzegovina for the
purpose of sexual exploitation. The case was significant because it involved both
domestic and international trafficking, and the perpetrators were prosecuted under both
the Bosnian Criminal Code and the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
3. The "Novi Pazar" Case - In 2014, a case known as the "Novi Pazar" case made headlines
in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The case involved a group of individuals who were accused
of trafficking men and women from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia for the purpose of
forced labor. The case was significant because it highlighted the issue of labor
trafficking, which is often overlooked in discussions about human trafficking.
LEGAL ASPECTS

During the Bosnia War, human trafficking was a serious problem, particularly in the aftermath of
the conflict. The trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation was particularly
prevalent, with many victims being from Eastern Europe.

In response to this issue, the international community established several legal mechanisms to
address human trafficking in Bosnia. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325, which
called for increased participation of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, and
emphasized the need to address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls
affected by armed conflict.

The UN also established the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
(OHR), which had the authority to oversee the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement
and address human rights violations in the country. In addition, the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) investigated and prosecuted individuals for war
crimes, including human trafficking.

On the domestic front, Bosnia and Herzegovina passed a law criminalizing human trafficking in
2003, which was updated in 2009 to bring it in line with international standards. The law
imposes severe penalties on those involved in human trafficking, including imprisonment for up
to 20 years.

Despite these legal measures, human trafficking remains a problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
with many victims continuing to suffer from exploitation and abuse. The government and
international community continue to work towards addressing this issue and providing support to
victims of trafficking. Women’s International League for peace and women has published an
article in regard with human trafficking took place during the Bosnia war.1

In the current day scenario UN has developed and launched several laws to combat Human
Trafficking globally. They are:

1
https://www.peacewomen.org/resource/bolkovac-un-tries-cover-peacekeeper-sex-abuse-scandal
 1. United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,
Especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol - This protocol was
adopted in 2000 and is a legally binding instrument that supplements the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It defines human trafficking as the
recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons through the use of
force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation.
2. United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons - This plan was
adopted in 2010 and provides a comprehensive framework for countries to prevent and
combat human trafficking. It includes measures to protect and support victims, strengthen
law enforcement and prosecution efforts, and increase international cooperation.
3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - The SDGs adopted by the United Nations in
2015 include a target to end human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery. The
SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, promote gender equality, and protect human rights,
which are all factors that can contribute to preventing human trafficking.
4. UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights - These principles were adopted
in 2011 and provide a framework for businesses to prevent and address human rights
abuses, including human trafficking, within their operations and supply chains.

ANALYSIS

The film is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that highlights the importance of speaking
out against injustice, even in the face of great personal risk. Rachel Weisz delivers a strong and
convincing performance as Kathryn Bolkovac, capturing both her determination and
vulnerability.

The movie is well-paced, with tense and dramatic moments that keep the viewer engaged
throughout. The cinematography is also excellent, capturing the bleak and war-torn landscape of
Bosnia with a sense of authenticity.

The movie received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised Rachel Weisz's performance as
Bolkovac and the movie's depiction of a real-life story of courage and sacrifice, while others
criticized the movie for being overly melodramatic and formulaic. The film also faced
controversy for its portrayal of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with some critics arguing that it
perpetuated stereotypes about the country and its people.

Human trafficking was really not a term that was widely used in 1999 and 2001. UN officers
considered these girls to be simply prostitutes. But they were trafficked into Bosnia from other
countries and coerced to perform sexual acts. Many knew they might end up in these conditions,
but most had no real choice based on the economic conditions in their home countries and the
desperation to survive.

Overall, "Whistleblower" is a thought-provoking movie that sheds light on the issue of human
trafficking and the courage of whistleblowers who risk their careers and lives to expose
corruption and injustice. It is a compelling and impactful film that sheds light on an important
issue and tells a story that deserves to be heard.

In my opinion the film has well portrayed the horrifying incidents that took place during the
Bosnia War. The important parts were depicted in a simple and subtle manner which can be
understood by layman. Through this film maybe a lot of people who actually didn’t have an idea
about the human trafficking that took place at the time can get a clear idea on how it has
happened. All the scenes were very clear and has got a deeper meaning within them.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, human trafficking was a serious issue during the Bosnia War, particularly in the
aftermath of the conflict. The trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation was
particularly prevalent, with many victims coming from Eastern Europe. In response to this issue,
the international community established legal mechanisms to address human trafficking in
Bosnia, including the UN Security Council's Resolution 1325, the Office of the High
Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (OHR), and the International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

On the domestic front, Bosnia and Herzegovina passed a law criminalizing human trafficking
and updated it in 2009 to bring it in line with international standards. Despite these legal
measures, human trafficking remains a problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the government
and international community continue to work towards addressing this issue and providing
support to victims of trafficking.

In addition, the UN established the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and
Herzegovina (OHR), which has the authority to oversee the implementation of the Dayton Peace
Agreement and address human rights violations in the country, including human trafficking. The
OHR works closely with local authorities and civil society organizations to combat trafficking
and support victims. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has supported the country in
developing and implementing a national action plan to combat trafficking.

Overall, the issue of human trafficking during the Bosnia War serves as a reminder of the
importance of protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals during times of conflict and
upheaval.