Members of the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on Srebrenica today.
The Resolution strongly condemns the crime in Srebrenica, which, in accordance with the judgments of the Hague Tribunal and the International Court of Justice, is designated as genocide.
During this morning's discussion, representatives of the European Commission and members of the European Parliament criticized the Russian veto on the proposal of the British resolution on Srebrenica in the United Nations Security Council.
The European Commissioner for Social Affairs Günter Oettinger, on behalf of the European Commission, expressed his regret that Russia vetoed the UNSC last night.
He pointed out that the Commission strongly supports the proposal of the EP resolution and that all the countries of the Western Balkans should work together on reconciliation and the realization of the European perspective. "The commission will help Bosnia and Herzegovina and all countries in the region to integrate into the EU and achieve a better future for their children," he said.
The harsh condemnation of the Russian veto was expressed during the half-hour discussion by several MPs, including Tanja Fajon and Davor Plenković, who pointed out that it is all the more important that the EP resolution be adopted today.
MP Ivan Jakovčič, who is the initiator of the resolution, pointed out that it is not directed against Serbia and the Serbian people, but the goal is to ensure that such a crime does not happen again. "Everyone committed crimes during the war, including members of my people," said the Croatian MP, adding that it is good and important that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić will attend the commemoration of the victims of Srebrenica in Potočari on Saturday.
During today's debate, almost all MPs spoke about the need for reconciliation and building a common future, pointing out that the European Union, which was created on the ruins of the Second World War, is an example that this is possible.
One of the rare dissonant voices was heard by the far-left Slovakian MP Miroslav Ransdorf, who blamed the United States of America for the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Bosnian commander Naser Orić for the Srebrenica tragedy.
In the draft, which was created by harmonizing the proposal submitted yesterday by the representatives of seven parliamentary groups (populists, socialists, liberals, greens, conservatives and two minor Eurosceptic parties), the crime in Srebrenica is strongly condemned, which in accordance with the judgments of the Hague Tribunal and the International Court of Justice designates as genocide.
As responsible for the mass execution of more than 8.000 Muslim men and boys from Srebrenica, the draft names "Bosnian Serb forces under the command of General Ratko Mladic, with the participation of paramilitary and irregular units."
"It is the biggest war crime that happened in Europe after the Second World War," the draft resolution reads.
In the agreed text, it is recalled that around 1 people from Srebrenica are still missing, as well as that thousands of women and children have been deported, and many women have been raped.
"The tragic events in Srebrenica left deep emotional scars and created long-term obstacles to the political reconciliation of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina," the text reads.
The co-responsibility of the United Nations, which failed to fulfill its mandate to protect the inhabitants of "protected zones", is emphasized.
The draft resolution strongly condemns not only the genocide in Srebrenica, but also all other crimes in the war in the former Yugoslavia, and expresses condolences to the families of the victims.
"The European Parliament strongly condemns the genocide in Srebrenica and solemnly declares that such a gruesome crime must never be repeated and that it will do everything in its power to prevent it from happening again; it rejects any denial, relativization and untrue interpretation of the genocide", it is emphasized. in the document.
Political leaders in BiH are required to acknowledge the events of the past and to work together to ensure a better future for all citizens, and neighboring countries, as well as religious leaders, artists, cultural workers and representatives of civil society, are required to help them in this.
The Parliament underlines the commitment of the European Union to the European perspective and the joining of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all the countries of the Western Balkans and emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation in that process.
"The EP encourages the development of educational and cultural programs that promote understanding of the causes of such crimes, and raise awareness of the need to maintain peace and promote human rights and interfaith tolerance," it says at the end, with special support to the "Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa" in raising awareness and building foundations for reconciliation.
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