Germany has shown that it stands strongly with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and they particularly welcome the adoption of the Resolution. This was confirmed by the ambassador of Germany in our country, Thomas Fitschen, saying, among other things, that it is important to face historical facts for the sake of balance and peace in the future.
I was pleased to note the result of the vote in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and a clear majority of 84 to 19 votes for the Resolution, Fitschen said.
“The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, proclaimed by the General Assembly, should preserve the memory of what happened, express regret for the victims and encourage reflection on what the world can do to prevent further crimes of this kind. As well as the General Assembly resolutions on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Rwandan Genocide Remembrance Day, this day is directed toward the future. It is a call to face historical facts and to draw concrete conclusions from them for a policy of reconciliation, balance and peace.”
It is particularly unfortunate that the resolution has caused so much political excitement in the country and elsewhere. Anyone who reads the text impartially will note that it is strictly based on the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice, he emphasized.
“There must be no impunity for genocide and other grave violations of international humanitarian law – we hope we agree on that. Also, the General Assembly’s repeated request for the continuation of investigations and criminal prosecutions is completely indisputable – the courts in BiH are cooperating very closely with the authorities of neighboring countries. And that part in which the General Assembly clearly rejects any denial of genocide and condemns the glorification of persons who have been punished by international courts for genocide or other serious war crimes has reached an international consensus. And no sentient man can object to the continuation of the search for victims requested by the General Assembly.”
Fitschen said that he is glad that he completely agrees with President Dodik on at least one thing: of course, Serbs are not a “genocidal people”.
“There is no such thing. But no one has ever claimed that. And this is not even mentioned in the resolution. The resolution says exactly the opposite when it points out that criminal responsibility can only be borne by specific perpetrators, and not by groups, peoples or communities. The resolution reminds us of historical facts confirmed by the courts. It does not accuse anyone, no one is marked.”
The General Assembly has not “decided” anything because it can only make recommendations, emphasized the German ambassador to BiH.
“And that’s exactly what it did: it calls on all benevolent states, organizations, societies, non-governmental organizations, associations, communities, academic institutions, individuals and all those interested in reconciliation, peace and the prevention of cruelty to mark this day and use it to “Remembrance and reflection” – in dignity and in the spirit of justice.”, BHRT writes.
