The Canadian Genocide Research Institute (IGK) is asking the United Nations General Assembly to declare July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, IGK Director Emir Ramić points out that it is high time to declare July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, which remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of Europe and the world.
“The claim that genocide was committed in Srebrenica is not a matter of opinion, it is a historical fact legally established by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and later by the International Court of Justice and other domestic courts. Unfortunately, many people do not know what happened in Srebrenica, and many who know deny it. Denial is the greatest insult to the victims of genocide and a serious threat to truth, justice, the culture of memory, stability and peace in the region and beyond,” the IGK said.
As they stated, the continuous and growing culture of genocide denial in Srebrenica must be eradicated, and the political leaders in the region, especially the leaders of the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska bear the primary responsibility to oppose genocide denial.
“Faced with the widespread denial of genocide, it is high time that the international community, especially the United Nations, recognize July 11 as the official International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide. The declaration would show that the United Nations and the international community stand on the side of justice and truth and that are in solidarity with the victims and survivors of the genocide in Srebrenica. This is the minimum we can ask for and the minimum we expect from the international community,” the IGK emphasized.
They are also asking the Canadian ambassador to the UN to support the proposal to establish the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide at this year’s session of the General Assembly. IGK also appeals to the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN to undertake increased activities in the implementation of this task.
IGK’s letter was also sent to the President of the UN General Assembly, the President of the UN Security Council, Canada’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, and the ambassador and permanent representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN in New York, Fena reports.
