The Srebrenica Memorial Center strongly condemned the recent statements of the Israeli Ambassador to Serbia, Yahel Vilan, and the denial of the genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995.
“Ambassador Vilan’s statements, which suggest that what happened in Srebrenica does not constitute genocide, are deeply troubling and extremely disrespectful to the memory of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys who were systematically executed by Bosnian Serb forces,” the director of the Memorial Center said in a message. Srebrenica of Emir Suljagic published on social network X.
He noted that the genocide in Srebrenica was unequivocally established and recognized by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and that these verdicts were the result of exhaustive investigations and trials, emphasizing the magnitude and intent of the crimes committed.
“The denial of these findings not only distorts the historical truth but also causes additional pain to the survivors and families of the victims who continue to seek justice and reconciliation,” underlined Suljagic.
He added that the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN)declared July 11th as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica and that this global recognition further reinforces the reality of the genocide, making any denial an obvious disregard for the established international consensus.
“Ambassador Vilan’s statements are not only a denial of historical facts but also a dangerous step backward in the fight against genocide and the prevention of future crimes. As a representative of a nation that has suffered its own history of deep suffering and genocide, it is especially disheartening to hear such denial from an Israeli diplomat. The legacy of the Holocaust should teach us the importance of recognizing and condemning all acts of genocide, regardless of where and against whom they occur,” said Suljagic, and concluded:
“We stand firm in our commitment to honoring the victims, preserving the truth and educating future generations about the horrors of genocide. We will not be silenced by denial and will continue our mission to ensure the world remembers and learns from the tragedy of Srebrenica.”
Suljagic‘s reaction came after it appeared in the media that Israel’s ambassador to Serbia, Jahel Vilan, denied the genocide in Srebrenica by saying that Israel would have voted for the resolution on Srebrenica in the UN if it believed that genocide took place there. It was stated that Vilan said in a statement that “a very serious war crime definitely happened there, but from the Israeli point of view, it does not represent the term genocide.”
