The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, spoke at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York with the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres.
Bećirović pointed out that the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica is a highly moral and civilizing act, important both for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UN and the whole world. He emphasized that the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica is a victory for truth and justice over the politics of genocide denial and historical revisionism. He particularly emphasized that the preservation of the facts established before the highest courts of the UN and respect for their final judgments are important for the credibility of international law and the multilateral order.
The chairman of the BiH Presidency pointed out that the recent funeral of the legally convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Serbia, followed by his public and institutional glorification and the presentation of state and military honors, further confirms how important it was to adopt the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica. He pointed out that the glorification of a person who has been condemned by the UN courts for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes is an anti-civilization act and a brutal insult and provoking of the victims. He emphasized that no amount of tributes and attempts to make heroes out of legally convicted war criminals can change the verdicts of the UN courts or the facts established by the courts.
Bećirović said that the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, as well as the “Flower of Srebrenica” monument, are a lasting legacy. He pointed out the importance of continuing the implementation of the Resolution on the Genocide in Srebrenica, especially through the UN outreach program “Genocide in Srebrenica and the UN”. He pointed out that this program represents an important mechanism for preserving the judicially established facts about the genocide in Srebrenica and passing them on to future generations. He emphasized the importance of continuing and strengthening the activities of this program in the coming period.
During the conversation, the Chairman of the BiH Presidency also pointed out the current political and security challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that the international community must act decisively against policies that threaten the peace, constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a very important partner of the UN and that overall joint activities should be strengthened. He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as an independent, indivisible and sovereign state, has the full support of the UN, as well as support on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration. He emphasized that the memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica will be permanently preserved and passed on to future generations. He particularly pointed out that the UN has already strongly condemned the glorification of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in the Republic of Serbia and elsewhere. He once again confirmed this position, stressing that such behavior is contrary to civilized and legal norms. He added that he greatly appreciates the principled views of the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović, on the universal values of the UN, as well as his commitment to the principles of international law, truth and justice.
In the end, Bećirović invited the UN Secretary General to visit Sarajevo and Srebrenica by the end of his mandate, on which occasion Bosnia and Herzegovina would express gratitude for the overall support that the UN provides to BiH, announced the Cabinet of the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović.
