The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, June 19th, was marked yesterday in front of the ‘Partizan’ Sports Centre in Foca. On behalf of the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Denis Becirovic, the head of his Cabinet Alija Kozljak addressed those present.
Kozljak expressed deep solidarity with the victims of sexual violence in all war-torn areas of the world and sent a message that prosecuting the perpetrators of such crimes and providing justice to the victims must be our constant obligation.
“Here, in this place, we cannot help but remember the suffering and violence against women in the war in BiH. The ‘Partizan’ Sports Centre in Foca was, from 1992 to 1995, a place of suffering for many women and one of the darkest periods in the history of this city,” he stated.
The international community, including the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, witnessed the serious crimes committed against women in BiH. The UN Security Council Resolution 2467, which was adopted on June 19th, 2019, emphasizes the importance of dealing with sexual violence in conflicts and the importance of providing support to victims.
Moreover, Kozljak emphasized that sexual violence during the war in BiH influenced the adoption of this resolution and the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Reports, testimonies, and documentation about crimes in BiH were crucial in raising awareness about sexual violence in conflicts.
“We remember the survivors of sexual violence during the war in BiH. By marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we are making our contribution to creating awareness about the importance of dealing with sexual violence in conflicts and the need to prevent violence in all its forms, to ensure that such evil never happens again. Please accept this message as an expression of support, encouragement, and desire to jointly contribute to building a more humane society and the fight for justice,” Kozljak concluded, N1 reports.
E.Dz.
