Srebrenica genocide: Mothers send warning to future generations, call for ‘never again’
The incident was the largest massacre in Europe since the Holocaust during World War II.
It left deep emotional scars on survivors, victims’ families and Bosnian and Herzegovinian society at large, following the wars and ethnic cleansing that marked the breakup of the former Yugoslavia beginning in 1992.
Among those who witnessed the terrible events in Srebrenica was Kada Hotić, who lost her husband, son and fifty other family members.
As a “Mother of Srebrenica” – a member of an advocacy group representing some 6,000 survivors – she has dedicated herself to building a new future for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where people can live in peace regardless of their ethnicity.
Teach our children
Ms. Hotić is at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York. She spoke with United Nations Newsemphasizes the importance of remembering the genocide in Srebrenica and reflecting on what happened.
“It serves as a warning to future generations so that it never happens again to anyone.,” she speaks.
“Children are taught what is good, what is bad, and what evil these dirty wars bring… we don’t need war, we need to vote for life, not for suffering in life.”
International Day
This year’s celebration takes place after the General Assembly. official designation of July 11 as International Day of Reflection and Remembrance for the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide.
In May, the General Assembly adopted a resolution of the same name – by 84 votes in favor, 19 against and 68 abstentions – calling on member states to preserve established facts, including through education, in order to prevent denial and distortion or any future acts of genocide.
Among the negative votes, the most notable was that of Serbia, whose President called the text of the resolution “highly political” and said it would “open a Pandora’s box.”
“This is not about reconciliation, this is not about memory, this is something that will only open an old wound and create absolute political devastation. Not only in our region, but even here, in this hall,” he said.
Shoes were found in a mass grave where the dead were buried in Srebrenica.
Srebrenica massacre
The Srebrenica massacre marked one of the darkest chapters of the war that broke out after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
In July 1995, Bosnian Serb troops stormed Srebrenica – previously stated a safe haven of Security Council – and massacred thousands of men and boys there, expelling 20,000 people from the town.
A small, lightly armed Dutch peacekeeping unit under the UN flag was unable to counter Serbian forces in Bosnia.
The brutal killings of Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica by the Republika Srpska army recognized as an act of genocide equal International Court of Justice (International Court of Justice) as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Always be alert
Speaking on Thursday high-level commemorative eventDennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, stressed that “the lessons from Srebrenica are clear”.
“Intolerance and bigotry – when allowed to thrive – lead to incomprehensible atrocities.“, he stressed.
“We must always be vigilant and on guard against inhumane, degrading and discriminatory language towards a particular group. … because such rhetoric always springs from hatred, and if left unchecked, always leads to unspeakable evil,” he urged.
General Assembly President Francis also stressed the continuing importance of the anniversary, with divisive rhetoric “more widespread, louder and deeper than ever”.
“Let us use this new International Day to honor those who have died, educate [future] generations, unite communities and stand against hatred in all its forms – I repeat – in all its forms. This is essential to ensure that everyone – regardless of race, creed or nationality – feels safe in their communities.”
The commemorative event was organized by the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations, with co-sponsors from some 22 other countries, including Rwanda.
Barbed wire surrounds a refugee camp for some 25,000 people displaced from Srebrenica. The fence was erected to prevent people from wandering into surrounding fields that may have been mined. (Photo taken in 1995)
Fight Denial
Also at the event, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, read a message from Secretary-General António Guterres.
“Twenty-nine years ago, the United Nations and the world failed the people of Srebrenica… today, We honor the memory of the victims and stand in solidarity with the survivors.,” she speaks.
Ms. Nderitu stressed the UN’s support for the families of those killed in their efforts to seek justice and establish the truth, adding that “we must resist denial and revisionism, and work to identify every victim and hold every perpetrator accountable.”
The Srebrenica genocide was a “traumatic example” of the consequences of inaction in the face of hatred, she stressed.
“We must fight division and intolerance, defend human rights and promote mutual understanding and reconciliation.,” she speaks.
