For security reasons, the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska (MUP RS) prohibited all gatherings in Srebrenica planned for Wednesday, September 2, as confirmed by the Radiosarajevo.ba portal.
The decision refers to two events, including the support gathering for the convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, and a peaceful gathering of associations from Srebrenica representing the victims who survived the genocide.
“The Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska confirmed that all gatherings are prohibited purely for security reasons, aimed at preventing possible disruptions of public peace and order. Any document will not follow this confirmation, but we were verbally told that the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska will not allow a single gathering,” it was confirmed for the Radiosarajevo.ba portal.
A peaceful gathering was supposed to be organized by the following associations: “Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves Movement,” “Women of Srebrenica,” “Mothers of Srebrenica”, and “Women of Podrinje,” following the announcement of a support rally for Ratko Mladić on social media.
The support gathering for Ratko Mladić was supposed to be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 5:00 PM. This announcement prompted the association of survivors to react.
Alija Tabaković, Chairman of the Bosniak Caucus, who had previously submitted a request for a peaceful gathering, confirmed that the association received guarantees from the Srebrenica Police Station that the support gathering for Mladić would not be held.
“Since we received firm guarantees from the Srebrenica Police Station that they will not allow the group of citizens who announced such a rally to hold it in Srebrenica, we informed them that we are also withdrawing from a peaceful gathering,” Tabaković said.
To recall, Ratko Mladić, a convicted war criminal, died at the age of 83. His name will forever be tied to the war crimes he committed during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, including genocide in Srebrenica and the siege of Sarajevo.
His death does not change historical facts or final verdicts. For families of thousands of victims, pain and memory remain, as well as the obligation to never forget the truth about the crimes committed.
