For the first time yesterday, under the patronage of the United Nations (UN) itself, the International Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica was marked at the UN General Assembly. On that occasion, the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Denis Becirovic, addressed the world public with a speech that clearly articulated key messages about truth, justice, and the need for genocide to never be forgotten or repeated.
In his address, Becirovic emphasized that he was not speaking only as a member of the BiH Presidency, but also as a man who shares the pain of the victims and the people against whom the only genocide on European soil after the Second World War was committed.
“I speak on behalf of those who seek the truth. I speak on behalf of those who, despite all the suffering and injustice, do not hate and do not call for revenge. I speak on behalf of those who love a proud and unyielding BiH. I speak and advocate for justice, peace, and reconciliation based on truth,” Becirovic emphasized.
Criticism of official Belgrade
Becirovic sharply criticized the officials of Serbia for denying the rulings of international courts.
“Unfortunately, the leadership of the neighboring Republic of Serbia continues to deny the final verdicts of UN courts. It is absurd for a member state of this international organization to deny the verdicts of UN courts. That is illogical, immoral, and unacceptable,” he said.
In the continuation of his speech, he emphasized that the Serbian leadership does not want to face the truth and reject the ideology that led to the genocide. He added that they are not distancing themselves from convicted war criminals, but are instead attempting to turn them into heroes.
A call for responsibility and reason
Becirovic stressed that BiH in that context calls for reason and truth.
“The dignity and honor of every people are preserved by a policy of condemning war criminals. We do not equate war criminals with an entire people. We respect neighboring Serbia and its citizens. We want peace and equal cooperation,” he said.
BiH has a future
Speaking about the country’s future, Becirovic stated that despite aggression and joint criminal enterprises, BiH has a future.
“I am convinced that, with the support of our friends around the world, we can build a modern, democratic, and prosperous state. We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking truth and justice,” he emphasized.
The strength of truth and the obligation to future generations
Speaking at the UN headquarters, Becirovic stressed that there is a civilizational obligation to bear witness to the truth and to stand on the side of the victims and justice, not on the side of war criminals and injustice.
“To be those who build a culture of remembrance, not forgetfulness. Our greatest strength is the truth. Our deepest inspiration is future generations to whom we must leave a secure BiH. Our most important allies are states and people who believe in peace and justice,” he said.
Srebrenica as a place of life
Becirovic called for the renewal of Srebrenica and the restoration of dignity to that area.
“Let us show determination and strength to return life to Srebrenica and this part of BiH. Let Srebrenica be a place of life and the future. Let justice be born from the fight for truth. Let genocide never happen again, anywhere, to anyone,” he concluded.
