Through a proclamation by the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, Canada’s largest city and one of the world’s most important political, economic, and academic centers has proclaimed July 11 as a Day of Remembrance for victims of the Srebrenica genocide.
In Proclamation, the Mayor of Toronto emphasized the importance of culture of remembrance of the victims of Srebrenica Genocide, gave recognition to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community in Toronto for their continuous work in the field of culture of remembrance which contributes to social, cultural, economic, and civic life of the city, and concluded that Toronto remains devoted to solving problems of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, hatred, and intolerance.
In Canada, a Parliamentary Resolution dating back to 2010 has declared July 11th as a Day of Remembrance for victims of the Srebrenica genocide.
The legislatures of Canadian provinces and territories also made resolutions on the Srebrenica Genocide. In addition to the monument in Windsor, preparations for raising a monument to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide are underway in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
The Srebrenica genocide is already being studied in Canadian schools.
This year, the mayors of Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Calgary, Ottawa, Windsor, and Edmonton declared July 11th as Day of Remembrance for victims of the Srebrenica genocide in their proclamations.
In Hamilton, the students formed the Flower of Srebrenica with their bodies. The electronic symbol of Hamilton is in the colors of the Flower of Srebrenica. In front of Hamilton City Hall, it reads July 11 Memorial Day, Paying Tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.
The Mississauga Civic Center Clock Tower is illuminated in blue and yellow on July 11th to commemorate the Day of Remembrance of Srebrenica. Every year, Mississauga commemorates this date to honor the genocide victims from 1995. The city commemorates this day in order to counter hate and support human rights. Blue and yellow represent the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Memorial manifestations are held across Canada.
The central Canadian commemoration is held on July 11 in Windsor, in front of the first monument erected in the diaspora. On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the delegation of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada and the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora of Canada visited the mayors of Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa and presented them with recognition for the institutionalization of the culture of remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide.
It is not enough to know the truth. It is a duty to live it and defend it.
We in Canada are teaching our children the truth about Srebrenica. Not to teach them to hate, but to teach them to differentiate truth from lies, justice from injustice, and humanity from crime. The nation that raises children to preserve truth has secured its future. A nation that allows the truth to be forgotten leaves its destiny to other people’s narratives.
We in Canada protect Bosnia and Herzegovina by preserving the truth about it. We are protecting our Bosnians and Herzegovinians by protecting their dignity. We are preserving the culture of remembrance by bearing witness to justice for every person. And we never forget: the truth is not a legacy only to our victims; it is a legacy to all of humanity.
Institute for Research of Genocide Canada.
