Today, the 29th anniversary of that genocide will be marked in the Memorial Center in Potočari in Srebrenica with a commemoration of the victims.
Several current and former Montenegrin officials, as well as political parties, addressed the issue.
SDP: These are moments that every individual should cherish and empathize with
In commemoration of the terrible genocide that took place on July 11, 1995 in Srebrenica, the vice-president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Adnan Šabović, together with the presidents of the municipal committees of Petnjica and Rožaje, Eldar Adrović and Rejhan Agović, as well as the representative of the Plav committee Rijad Markišić were part of the traditional celebration in Bijelo Polje, SDP announced.
"At the place of commemoration, at the monument in Lenke Jurišecić Street, those present laid flowers and sent a message about the importance and also the importance of this crime so that it would never happen to anyone. These are the moments that every individual should cherish and empathize with them," the announcement reads.
Šehović: This terrible crime remains deeply engraved in our hearts and reminds us of the need for justice and peace
When you find yourself in Potočari, in front of thousands of white sights, you are overwhelmed by an indescribable sadness and a sense of enormous loss. Each sight carries a story of a broken life, and the silence of the place speaks louder than any words. It is a moment of unbearable pain, a reminder of the immeasurable cost of human hatred, announced the president of the Social Democrats (SD), Damir Šehović.
"That is why we remember with deep sadness and reverence the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica. This terrible crime remains deeply engraved in our hearts and reminds us of the need for justice and peace. We must never forget those terrible days and innocent victims. Cultivating a culture of memory is the most concrete answer to the non-culture of genocide denial. It is a civilizational, not a political, issue," the statement said.
"The recently adopted United Nations Resolution on Srebrenica is an important step forward in the fight against genocide deniers and those who glorify convicted war criminals. This resolution is a reminder to all of us of our obligation to strongly oppose hatred and intolerance. We call on the authorities to, starting this year, begin with the adequate preparation of the July 11 commemoration program, in accordance with the UN Resolution, of which Montenegro is a member. Without facing the past, we have no future, especially not a European one," said Šehović.
Delegation of the European Union in Potočari: We are proud that true and majority Montenegro fulfills its historical duty
The delegation of the European Union, which is staying today at the Memorial Center in Potočari, laid a wreath and paid tribute to the victims on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide in Srebrenica, the Liberal Party announced.
As announced, the leaders of SDP, SD and the Liberal Party, Ivan Vujović, Damir Šehović and Vatroslav Belan, together with the delegations of these parties marked the Day of Remembrance together with numerous delegations and citizens attending the commemoration. It is a human and civilizational obligation and a memory that we must preserve so that nothing similar would ever happen again to anyone in this region.
"Confronting the past on the basis of truth, facts and justice is the only way to never again allow nationalist madness and extremism to destroy tens of thousands of human lives, families and entire generations. We are proud that the true and majority Montenegro fulfills its historical duty even today shows that it is on the right side of history, first of all respecting its tradition of humanity but also contributing to the international commemoration of the victims of genocide. , crimes and genocide in these areas," the announcement reads.
BS: We will persist in the fight against forgetting, hatred and the relativization of the genocide in which Bosniaks were killed solely because of their ethnicity.
29 years have passed since the most monstrous genocide on European soil after the Second World War, in which 8.372 innocent civilians were systematically and systematically killed, with the aim of destroying an entire nation. This is a lesson for all of humanity and our obligation to never forget the innocent Bosnian civilians who died, announced the Bosniak Party (BS).
"It is important for us and for future generations to nurture the culture of memory of the innocent victims of genocide, to preserve the truth and to fight so that the suffering of the victims and their surviving families is not repeated to anyone. We are pleased by the fact that the recently adopted United Nations Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica will raise the awareness of the world public about this monstrous crime," the announcement states.
The Bosniak Party also said that by raising awareness of the genocide in Srebrenica at the international level, "an important support will be provided to the survivors, to the many mothers, sisters and daughters who are still searching for the remains of their loved ones, and who continue to testify in public hatred, denial and relativization of genocide".
"We will persevere in seeking and showing the truth, we will persevere in the fight against forgetting, hatred and relativization of the genocide in which Bosniaks were killed solely because of their ethnicity. So that Srebrenica never happens again to anyone", they concluded.
Injac: Whoever kills one innocent man is as if he killed the whole world
The Mayor of Podgorica, Olivera Injac, and the President of the Capital Assembly, Jelena Borovinić Bojović, laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of the 1991-2001 wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia on the occasion of the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.
As reported from the capital, Injac addressed the audience, emphasizing that the conflicts that took place in the territory of the former Yugoslavia deeply wounded our region and left scars in the entire community.
"The memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica is a part of our history that we must not forget or suppress. It is precisely this memory that obliges us to never allow such tragedies to repeat themselves," said Injac.
"Whoever kills one innocent man is as if he killed the whole world," she added.
Injac pointed out that Srebrenica is a symbol of pain and suffering and that it reminds us of the horrors of war and at the same time shows us that our most important duty is to preserve peace and unity.
"This day is also a permanent reminder that as a society we must work on reconciliation, valuing differences as our greatest asset. Let the sad memory of the difficult past be the biggest reminder that we must look for kindness among people and nurture it for the sake of our healthy future. Let this day of remembrance for the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica remind us of the fragility of peace and the importance of continuous work to preserve it. So that it doesn't happen again," concluded Injac.
Vuković and Adžić laid a wreath at the monument to the victims of genocide in Srebrenica on the Pobrežje
On the occasion of July 11, the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Genocide in Srebrenica and the Day of Remembrance for the Civilian Victims of the Wars Waged in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia in the Period from 1991 to 2001, Vice President Milena Vuković and Vice President Filip Adžić laid a wreath at the monument on behalf of the Civil Movement URA civilian victims on Pobrežje in Podgorica.
The General Assembly of the URA announced that this is the day when we should all together send a strong message of sympathy to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica and their families, but also to strongly condemn and oppose all those backward policies that contributed to the horrors of the fratricidal and mindless wars of the 1990s. century and therefore wrote one of the darkest pages of the Balkans.
"That it never happens again".
Nimanbegu: The commemoration of the victims is a noble tribute to which we also join
The President of the Municipality of Ulcinj, Genci Nimanbegu, on behalf of the citizens and in his own name, paid tribute to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, it was announced from Nimanbegu's office.
"The General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica. Thousands of people from the region and other places pay their respects to the victims in the Memorial Center and march along the so-called death street in memory of them. In the Srebrenica massacre, the worst in Europe after During the Second World War, Serbian forces killed more than 8.300 Muslim boys and men. Today, the remains of 14 identified victims will be reburied. The commemoration of the victims is a noble tribute that we join in. On behalf of Ulcinj and its citizens, we strongly raise our voices don't forget this massacre and that the genocide is not repeated anywhere else in our region and in the world," the announcement states.
Vujović: The criminal responsibility determined by the courts is individual and never collective
The genocide in Srebrenica is not a tragedy only for the victims and their families, but a collective trauma for all of us, for the region, Europe and the world, announced the Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović.
"With deep pain and sadness, we remember the tragic events from Srebrenica, in July 1995, when over eight thousand boys and men of Bosniak nationality were killed. That is why it is our human and moral duty to remember the innocent victims, to honor them, to let's support their families, who live with the greatest loss, and prove our dedication to truth and reconciliation. Because it is our duty to be the guardians of the truth, to persevere in achieving justice and to show that we have understood and learned the lessons," the statement said.
She said that today, more than ever, "we need to work on building a society based on the values of human rights, justice and mutual respect for everyone, regardless of national, religious, ethnic or any other affiliation".
"Facing the past in the right way, with truth and facts, accepting the bitter side of history is not always easy, but it is healing and a chance for reconciliation and living in lasting peace. And we all need that, in order to heal, or heal wounds and build a world in which Srebrenica will never happen again anywhere and to anyone. It is easy to say 'never again', but we should do it every day so that the repetition of the crime of extermination is impossible anywhere and to anyone," the statement reads.
"Nevertheless, we are witnesses to the fact that war is taking place everywhere in the world, and that we once again have intentions of exterminating people, by murder, by starvation - in violation of any rule of international law. That is why the memory of Srebrenica must remain alive in our thoughts and actions. Criminal liability determined by the courts is individual and never collective, and that is why we call for overall support to the judicial institutions in their efforts to bring to justice all those responsible for the crimes committed in Srebrenica and other places during the war conflicts in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. This is important for the dignity of the survivors and an expression of respect for the victims ", points out Vujović.
She said that it is also a relief to the families and representatives of the people who committed crimes, that their descendants and compatriots do not bear collective guilt.
"Montenegro as a multi-ethnic state, which leads a pro-European policy, always makes an effort to overcome and reduce tensions, ethnic distances and other divisions and nurtures a culture of remembrance. On the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica, July 11, we promote the culture of truth, education, empathy towards the victims, justice and reconciliation. In the coming days, the Ministry of Culture and Media will commemorate the victims in Srebrenica," the statement concluded.
Marković: Condemnation of genocide and crimes in general, from whichever side it comes from, is a civilizational obligation
The condemnation of genocide and crimes in general, from whichever side it comes from, is a civilizational obligation and a necessary condition for strengthening the multi-ethnic and multicultural character of Montenegrin society and its social cohesion, announced the former prime minister, former high-ranking official of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and leader of the newly formed Party of European of progress (SEP) Duško Marković.
In a post on the social network X, he said that "we express our reverence for the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica".
"Inheriting universal values, as an emerging and strengthening party, we are already building recognition by relying on European standards, civilizational values and the culture of memory. Tomorrow will remind us of July 11, 1995, when something happened in Srebrenica that must never happen again. With deep respect for the victims of the crime and their families, we welcome the recently adopted Resolution of the UN General Assembly declaring July 11 the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica and condemning the denial of genocide and the glorification of war criminals. for building a society of progress. Condemnation of genocide and crimes in general, from any side, is a civilizing obligation and a necessary condition for strengthening the multi-ethnic and multicultural character of Montenegrin society. That is why we call on the Government and institutions to devote themselves to the creation of programs for the present and future generations, who will be informed, educated and brought up on the axiom that contributing to lasting peace and progress is an undoubted priority in relation to conflicts, and that suffering must never be repeated," Marković's post on IX reads.
Đukanović: Denying genocide is a path into the abyss and unsustainable revisionism of big-state ideologies
The anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica is a terrible reminder that facing the truth and responsibility is the only way to a more certain future, said former head of state, government and Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Milo Đukanović.
In a post on the X social network, he said that the denial of that genocide is a path to the abyss and an unsustainable revisionism of the big-state ideologies and policies that led to it, and which are persistently resurrecting in these areas.
"It is the 29th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, the greatest suffering after the Second World War in Europe. An occasion to once again bow to the shadows of more than eight thousand victims and to express our sincere sympathy to all those who lost their loved ones in that insane crime. A terrible reminder that facing the truth and responsibility is the only way to a more certain future. Likewise, the denial of that genocide is the path to the abyss and the unsustainable revisionism of the big-state ideologies that led to it, and which are persistently resurrected in these areas after the recent adoption of the resolution in the UN, July 11 is marked as the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide. It is an important decision of the international community, a message that the most responsible actors of that crime must face their role in the recent past. This act alone has shown how much the reputation and strength of the OUN have collapsed," Đukanović's post reads.
He said that at the session of the General Assembly, many countries were not ready to confirm the decision of the Court established by the UN, "which 17 years ago qualified the crime in Srebrenica as genocide".
"Also, it testifies to the authority of current Western politics today. As long as the majority of UN members deny, hold back, hesitate and show no willingness to call the crime in Srebrenica by its right name and condemn it, there is no hope for a better future for the region, nor a clear conscience for the great and powerful whose policies are driven by daily political interests, mired in rotten compromises. That is why the greatest responsibility lies with us who live in this region to show ourselves and the world that we are ready and capable of taking responsibility and admitting the tragic mistakes of the recent past. This will open up hope for a more certain perspective of today's and generations to come," Đukanović concluded.
Dukaj: Let July 11 be a reminder to all of us where national hatred and prejudice lead
Let July 11 be a reminder to all of us where national hatred and prejudices lead, announced the Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj.
"With pain and reverence, we mark another anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica. The duty of every person today is to condemn the supporters, negators and relativizers of the genocide, and solidarity with the families of the victims," said Dukaj, the Ministry of Justice announced.
The anniversary of the commemoration of the genocide
Today, the 29th anniversary of that genocide will be marked in the Memorial Center in Potočari in Srebrenica with a commemoration of the victims.
Today, the remains of another 14 identified Srebrenica victims will be buried in Potočari.
The Ministers of European Affairs, Education, Science and Innovation and Labor and Social Care, Maida Gorčević, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović and Naida Nišić, will be in the delegation of the Government of Montenegro at the commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.
As the government said, the Montenegrin delegation will also include the state secretary of the Ministry of European Affairs, Bojan Božović, and the chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Montenegro in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Satka Hajdarpašić.
According to the indictments of the Hague Tribunal, soldiers under the command of General Ratko Mladić organized and systematically killed around eight thousand Muslim men and boys. About 30 thousand women and children were deported in two days.
In 2007, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued a verdict qualifying the massacre in Srebrenica as an act of genocide. Resolutions on Srebrenica confirming that verdict were passed by the parliaments of the countries of the European Union, Canada, the United States of America and Australia.
On May 23, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a Resolution declaring July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.
In July 2009, the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Declaration on the acceptance of the resolution of the European Parliament on Srebrenica, which condemns the crime in that Bosnian-Herzegovinian city, as well as other crimes committed during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.
On June 17, 2022, the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica.
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