Bosnia's Bećirović and Hague Mayor Discuss Memorial for Srebrenica Genocide Victims

Denis Bećirović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recently met with Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen to discuss the establishment of a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in The Hague, Netherlands. This initiative aims to honor the memory of over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were killed in the 1995 genocide.

This memorial commemorates the atrocities committed during the Srebrenica genocide and promotes international awareness and remembrance. The recognition of this genocide is essential in preventing similar crimes from happening in the future and promoting stability in the region.

The Srebrenica genocide, which occurred in July 1995, has been recognized as genocide by both the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). More than 50 individuals have been sentenced to over 700 years in prison for their roles in the massacre.

The meeting between Bećirović and van Zanen is part of a broader effort to ensure the atrocities of Srebrenica are not forgotten. This includes ongoing discussions at the United Nations, where Germany and Rwanda have initiated talks on a resolution condemning any denial of the genocide and actions that glorify those responsible for the crimes.

The draft resolution, supported by countries including the United States, Albania, Finland, New Zealand, and Turkey, calls for the international community to recognize July 11 to be the International Day of Remembrance for the Genocide in Srebrenica. The resolution seeks to ensure that the memory of the victims is preserved and that such atrocities are not repeated.

However, the initiative has faced opposition from Milorad Dodik, the leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina's ethnic Serb entity, Republika Srpska. Dodik, who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain for his efforts to undermine the Dayton Peace Accords, has regularly denied the Srebrenica genocide and threatened to withdraw from Bosnia's decision-making process if the resolution is adopted.

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo has emphasized the importance of recognizing the genocide, stating, "Genocide denial insults victims of all ethnicities and compounds the suffering of their families. It tears at the fabric of the society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, threatens Bosnia's stability, and is illegal under Bosnian law."

The discussions between Bećirović and van Zanen represent a significant step towards commemorating the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and promoting international awareness and remembrance. The proposed memorial in The Hague would serve as a permanent testament to the atrocities and the need for vigilance against such crimes.

Key Takeaways

• Bosnia's Chairman Denis Bećirović meets with Hague Mayor to establish Srebrenica genocide memorial.
• The memorial aims to honor 8,000+ Bosnian Muslim men and boys killed in the 1995 genocide.
• Srebrenica genocide recognized by International Criminal Tribunal and International Court of Justice.
• UN resolution condemning genocide denial and glorification of perpetrators is being discussed.
• Bosnia's ethnic Serb leader Milorad Dodik opposes the resolution, denies Srebrenica genocide.