Srebrenica is our painful wound that reminds us all of the horrific atrocities humanity can endure. Remembering Srebrenica, we commit ourselves to always defend truth, justice, and human dignity, especially for the most vulnerable among us, our children, said Dr. Denis Bećirović, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in an interview for Preporod.info on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.
This year, the remains of five victims will be buried at the Memorial Center in Potočari.
Because of them, and the other victims — 8,372 in total — Bećirović emphasizes that we must never grow tired in the fight for the truth.
He reminded that Srebrenica is the only place in Europe where genocide was committed after World War II.
“The genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica is a warning to all humanity. Europe and the world must learn lessons from Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We must continue to strengthen the culture of remembrance and institutionally fight against the denial of genocide. This is not only a matter of the past but also a pledge for our future. Through remembrance, we fight for a secure future for new generations,” emphasized Bećirović.
He holds the view that the truth about the genocide must never stop being spread.
“We must never yield to the politics and ideology of evil, neither for the dead nor for the living. When we talk about genocide, we must answer the questions of why it was committed, what the motives were, who the organizers were, and what lies at the core of that policy. The question also arises: Can genocide against Bosniaks be repeated? To answer that, we must compare the politics of then with those that threaten us today. By remembering, we do everything to ensure that genocide never happens again. Truth and facts are the strongest weapons,” Bećirović conveyed.
He underlined that denial of the genocide in Srebrenica is unacceptable.
“Denial of genocide in literature is described as the ‘final stage in the execution of a genocide.’ Genocide deniers aim to deliver the last blow to their victims — to deny, minimize, trivialize, approve, or justify the crime and thereby deprive the victims of even posthumous truth. Recognition of genocide represents the foundation of reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, the foundation for a better shared future of Bosnian-Herzegovinian society and state, and the foundation for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic integration,” said Bećirović.
He stated that denial of international and domestic court rulings on the committed genocide is a threat of a new genocide.
“Genocide is repeatable! The problem of genocide is a problem for all humanity. Accordingly, the genocide against Bosniaks should be viewed at the European and global level, within international law, the UN Charter, and the European Union,” he noted.
In this regard, he pointed out the significance of the adoption of the Resolution on Genocide in Srebrenica at the UN. He considers the Resolution on the International Day of Commemoration and Tribute to the Victims of the Genocide in Srebrenica 1995 an important civilizational advance in the fight for truth and justice.
“Many thought we would never see the adoption of the Resolution at the UN. After a series of unsuccessful attempts, we succeeded. Behind this success stands well-planned and dedicated work. This achievement did not fall from the sky. We invested enormous effort, knowledge, and energy. This is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important diplomatic and political victories in the 21st century. The Resolution encourages UN member states to adopt teaching and educational programs through which future generations will be educated about the prevention and consequences of genocide. Education is the foundation for shaping conscious citizens ready to oppose ideologies that lead to genocide,” emphasized Bećirović.
He conveyed that it is a human duty to show compassion to the families of the slain who will soon be buried in the cemetery, as well as to the families of all victims of the genocide in and around Srebrenica.
“Special respect must be shown to the mothers of Srebrenica. They are the true heroines of our time. Their courage and unwavering spirit serve as an inspiration to all of us. They shared their painful experience of searching for the missing and identifying the found victims with people all around the world who needed help. Their struggle is a beacon of conscience and responsibility. They conveyed words of truth and justice when many remained silent. They were the voice of those deprived of the right to speak. And they persistently remained in the fight against minimizing and denying the committed genocide,” said Bećirović.
He added that the truth about genocide must not depend on political will, as it is a fact confirmed by final judicial decisions of the highest international and national courts.
“And precisely truth and facts are our strongest weapons in the fight for truth, justice, and dignity,” Bećirović concluded.
Written by our correspondent D.I.
