Srebrenica, 12 July 2022 (TDI): The world leaders, including Johann Sattler, EU Ambassador and Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina remembered the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, which happened 27 years ago.
Today, I paid respect to the victims of the #SrebrenicaGenocide.
We must never forget them.
By remembering, we protect their memory against those who try to deny or distort the historical and judicial record and support the quest for justice.#Srebrenica27 pic.twitter.com/Fdfu2nCBkY
— Johann Sattler (@josattler) July 11, 2022
Ambassador Sattler said in a tweet, “We must never forget them”. Thousands of people have gone to Srebrenica to mark the 27th anniversary of the genocide. They also attended the funeral of fifty recently identified victims.
On July 11, every year, newly identified victims of genocide are laid to rest. When bodies are identified, they are returned to their families. Then they are buried in a ceremony that occurs at a memorial cemetery in Potocari, Bosnia.
Response of the World leaders
Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden also paid respect to victims of the genocide. She also expressed solidarity with the survivors and their families.
Dunja Mijatovic, a human rights expert and activist, serving as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in a tweet said “In Srebrenica, today to honor and stand with victims and survivors of the Srebrenica genocide.”
Furthermore, Emine Erdogan, the first lady of Turkiye said “it was humanity, conscience, and compassion that was buried in Srebrenica 27 years ago.
We would never forget the cries of Bosnian children or the mothers who watched the murderous expulsion of their fathers.”
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in a tweet stated “Srebrenica genocide was one of the darkest moments of European history”.
27 years since #Srebrenica genocide, one of the darkest moments in modern European history.
Our hearts & thoughts are with the victims & their families.
This tragic anniversary is also a reminder: we must keep working together for peace in Europe & for 🇧🇦 to become part of 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/nZ6iJs81k4
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 11, 2022
Josep Borrell Fontelles, Vice President of the EU Commission, said “Today we remember victims of the Srebrenica genocide. We must learn from the past and work for human dignity, peace, and universal values”.
The Srebrenica massacre or genocide occurred between 1992-1995. It took place after the breakup of Yugoslavia when Bosnian Serbs went against other ethnic groups – Bosniaks and Croats.
More than 7000 Bosniak people died during the Serb forces’ attacks. In addition to the killings, thousands of people left their homes forcefully. The Srebrenica massacre is the worst episode of mass murder in the European region.
Senior year student of International Relations at Kinnaird College.
