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Home Primary Memorial day Messages of Support Bakir Izetbegović

Bakir Izetbegović

Former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amongst the worst acts of aggression in Europe since WWII, the genocide in Srebrenica was particularly grotesque. Former President Bakir Izetbegović warns of lurking tensions that need urgent resolution.

“Speaking for myself, and on behalf of the Bosnian people, I offer my sincere thanks for pronouncing the truth and guarding the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The clear and unequivocal position of the British Government and its Prime Minister, David Cameron, that the genocide should never be forgotten, and that the world needs to be vigilant in pre – venting similar tragedies in the future, is truly precious to us.

We have valued the support of the British people since 2000. Your government has made significant contribution to the construction of the Memorial Centre in Potočari, the work of the International Commission for Missing Persons, and by actively assisting the returnees to Srebrenica through reconstruction and building of infrastructure. We will remember all this.

From 11th to 16th July 1995, the death squads of Karadžić and Mladić massacred more than 8,000 Bosniaks – only because they were Muslims. Tens of thousands of women and children were forcibly deported. Prior to that they burnt down 269 Bosniak villages in the region.

In the inferno of Srebrenica, as in the Nazi camps of Hitler, the innocent faces clearly stood out against the ruthless hatred of the criminals. But so too stood out the shameful indifference of powerful world rulers for whose help the victims cried. Those who could have, but failed to prevent the Srebrenica tragedy, and the tragedy of the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, failed the test of history. This is why Srebrenica will forever remain the ugly spot on the face of the international community.

If there is a grain of comfort for the mothers, daughters and sisters of Srebrenica in this world, then it is that the criminals will face justice. But victims have been waiting for justice too long. The leader who inspired and commanded the crimes, Slobodan Milošević , died in the Hague. His accused henchmen Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić are in Scheveningen, awaiting the inevitable. But hundreds of others with blood on their hands are still at large. In some parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina they are celebrated as heroes.

Most of the civilized world has, albeit late, called the Srebrenica genocide the biggest crime in Europe since World War II, but in the Republic of Srpska, that truth has not yet been faced. But voices of cynicism are more and more isolated. Even the President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, known for his radical past, has recently publicly apologised for the terrible crimes in Srebrenica.

My message is clear: the acknowledgement of truth of the tragic events from the end of the 20th century is a pre-condition to all reconciliation processes and the progress of the Southeast Europe region. Only brave and sincere leaders can lead the process of exposing the truth. Our neighbours, and the whole world, must hear this message and understand it without ambivalence. Lies, self-deceit, and ignorance are potential sources of renewed violence and conflict. Everyone needs to take full responsibility for the wrongs done in the name of their people. Nobody wants to see conflict again.”

Nov 3, 2016francesca cleverly
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November 3, 2016 Messages of Support
Chief Rabbi Ephraim MirvisThe Late Lord Ashdown
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Six candles for six million Jews killed in Holocaust: Victims of the Bosnian genocide mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the @SrebrenicaMC.

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I am working on a project on the Siege of Sarajevo and I am in need of Sarajevo Siege survivors, of all ages, to speak to. A casual conversation to start and the interview itself will be conducted with full sensitivity and professionalism. Please email: arnesa@srebrenica.org.uk

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RrrrnessaArnesa Buljušmić-Kustura@Rrrrnessa·
24 Feb

Last year we opened the very first Virtual Exhibition on the Bosnian genocide, this year we are expanding the exhibition and building a long-lasting resource for all. Creativity allows us to express our pain, grief, and trauma in many ways and I encourage all to submit your work! https://t.co/fVtkyNAiRH

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SrebrenicaUKRemembering Srebrenica@SrebrenicaUK·
24 Feb

We are re-opening our Exhibition "Remnants of Genocide" and are asking for submissions on the topics of genocide, refugee displacement, and our theme "Rebuilding Lives". Submit your art, poetry, photographs, and anything else for a chance to be featured during Memorial Week!

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24 Feb

Our podcast on the genocide in Srebrenica has been listened by over 75,000 people! Join them by listening to the story of the worst atrocity on Europe’s soil since the Holocaust.

Honour the victims, by listening to the survivors!

https://t.co/ClCqkVfL6S

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 Latest news 
Remembering Srebrenica’s 2021 Theme: Rebuilding Lives
February 4, 2021

Every year, Remembering Srebrenica selects a theme that reflects an aspect of the genocide that must be commemorated, but also speaks to communities here in the UK.  The theme for 2021 is ‘Rebuilding Lives’.  The theme aims to honour the two million people who were displaced during the genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia in […]

Hatidža Mehmedović – A mother’s legacy
November 26, 2020

Hatidža Mehmedović was born in the area surrounding Srebrenica in 1952. Before the genocide, she lived her entire life in Srebrenica, where she had married her childhood friend, Abdullah, and had two sons, Azmir and Almir. Hatidža and Abdullah built their home in Srebrenica and lived a simple life as a family before the war […]

“Untold Killing”: first serialised podcast about the genocide in Bosnia launched
October 22, 2020

London, United Kingdom — This past July marked 25 years since the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, often referred to as the worst atrocity on Europe’s soil since the Holocaust. The story of Srebrenica, a small town in Bosnia, remains a dark stain on Europe’s history and yet the full details remain unknown to many.  […]

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