The Aegis Trust welcomes the adoption on 23 May of the UNGA resolution commemorating the 1995 Srebrenica massacre and declaring 11 July as the International Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide.
Adopted with 84 votes in favour, 19 against, and 68 abstentions, the resolution designates the 11th of July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica and calls upon member states to combat denial of the genocide in Srebrenica. Importantly, it also “condemns without reservation actions that glorify those convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by international courts, including those responsible for the Srebrenica genocide.”
“Though long overdue, this resolution is really vital,” says Aegis CEO Freddy Mutanguha. “We hope the survivors and their families feel some encouragement that the world has not forgotten them and recognises what took place, commits to remembering it, and ensures that denial can no longer be tolerated. We are committed to working with our partners in Srebrenica to build a future without denial.”
The Aegis Trust’s founder Dr James Smith added, “The Srebrenica Genocide Memorial, led by Dr Emir Suljagić, and the Mothers of Srebrenica, have achieved something remarkable. We pay tribute to them for that, and we recognise the contribution made by Germany and Rwanda in tabling this. My friend the Holocaust survivor Waldemar Ginsburg stated that “what is not acknowledged cannot be healed.” Before reconcilliation can start, the truth must be acknowledged. This resolution, carrying the mark of global recognition and affirmation of what took place as genocide, coupled with its outlawing of denial, is an important step in limiting the efforts to deny what took place in Srebrenica. Though denial, revisionism and even triumphalism remain rife, we hope that international acts of recognition such as this can eventually lead to full acknowledgment locally. In the meantime we continue to stand with our partners in Srebrenica in aiding them in this work.”
Noting increased tensions in the town of Srebrenica on the day of the UNGA resolution, the presence of armoured vehicles and armoured police from Republika Srpska’s police force, and the inflammatory rhetoric from Republika Srpksa’s leadership, the Aegis Trust calls for the international community present in Bosnia and Herzegovina to guarantee the safety and security of survivors, the memorial staff, and all Bosniak residents of Republika Srpska.
UNGA resolution text in full: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n24/140/80/pdf/n2414080.pdf?token=ZakqEVwE5CBU8uaHJE&fe=true
