SREBRENICA GENOCIDE: Mothers send warning to future generations, urging “never again” !

SREBRENICA GENOCIDE: Mothers send warning to future generations, urging “never again”

Kristi Flora Karki

The UNO, on July 11 2024, after the elapse of long 29 years, designated as a genocide the 1995 massacre of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) in Srebrenica of Bosnia Herzegovina and also observed July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the massacre, honoring the memory of 8000 Bosnian Muslims massacred by the Bosnian Serb Army.

Ms Kada Hotic, one of the survivors who lost her husband, son and 50 other family members, was also present at the observance program in the UN.

Ms Hotic also a member of advocacy group (Mother of Srebrenica) that represents about 6000 survivors of the massacre, spoke to UN news, stressing the importance of commemorating the genocide in Srebrenica and reflecting on what happened stating that it serves as a warning to the future generations so that it never happens again to anyone.

She added that the children learn so that they know what’s good and what is evil and what kind of evil dirty works like these bring and that we don’t need wars, we need to vote for life and not for suffering in life.

Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, addressing the commemorative event emphasized that lessons of Srebrenica are relevant and will continue to educate future generations, unite communities and combat hate in all forms.

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UN Special Advisor Alice Walrimu Nderitu read out a message from Secretary-General António Guterres. The commemorative event was organized by the permanent mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN, co-sponsored by about 22 other nations.

Srebrenica massacre took place on July 11 1995, when Bosnian Serb army attacked Bosniaks in Srebrenic area of Bosnia Herzegovina resulting in death of 8000 Bosniaks and displacement of more than 20000 others. The Srebrenica massacre was stated to be the worst genocide occurred after the World War 2.

Since 1992 Bosnian Serb Forces targeted Srebrenica in a campaign to seize control of a block of territory in eastern Bosnia of Bosnia Herzegovina, there eventual goal was to annex this territory to the adjacent Republican of Serbia by eliminating Bosniaks.

Earlier, on May 23 2024 UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the Srebrenica genocide by recorded vote of 84 in favor to 19 against and with 68 abstentions. The resolution entailed condemnation to any denial of the Srebrenica genocide as a historical event and actions that glorify those convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by  international courts.

It also requested Secretary General, UN to establish an outreach program titled “Srebrenica genocide and the United Nations”, starting activities from 30^th anniversary in 2025.

The representative of Germany who introduced the draft at UN general assembly on May 23, alleged that Bosnian Muslims were systematically executed in Srebrenica, which had been designated as “safe area” by security council in 1993 and had a contingent of peace keeping force under UN deployed in the area.

Prior to the voting on the resolution Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic appealed to members present in the general assembly session to vote against the resolution terming it as highly politicized.

He also questioned the justification of bringing draft resolution as individual legal liability had already been delivered through indictments, verdicts and convictions. He expressed doubts that this resolution would be able to bring reconciliation to Bosnian and Herzegovina or the entire region. He also called for recognition of the genocide against the Serbian people in the first world War. In which it lost 28% of its overall population.

Announcing his intention to vote against the resolution, he asked as to how the Member States would explain that the killing of 8000 people is bigger than the 20 million people that were killed during World War 2, including tens of thousands of Serbian people. He stressed that the real reason behind bringing this revolution was totally politically motivated and that it would just open an old wound and will create a complete political havoc.

13-07-2024

Kristi Flora Karki is a student of Communication & Journalism, Gauhati University

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