The City of Coventry in the United Kingdom joins other cities around the world this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, where more than 8,000 mostly Bosnian Muslims, men and boys were murdered, countless women were raped, and over 25,000 people were expelled from the area, suffering in horrific abuse.
Events are held every year to ensure that victims are never forgotten and to help achieve peace. The week of remembrance of Srebrenica, this year lasts from July 5 to 12 and has the theme “Every action is important”.
The anniversary is always celebrated in Coventry as well, and this year Lord Mayor Cllr Ann Lucas joined thousands of people by lighting a candle to remember those who suffered so much.
She said: “It is so important for us to remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, not only on this 25th anniversary, but always.
“It is terrible to think that the work of our city for peace began in the Second World War, and 50 years later, after everything that humanity has seen, it was still possible for genocide to happen.
Coventry has opened its doors to many who lost their homes in the conflict, including those held in concentration camps and now home to about 500 families from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia.
