To mark Srebrenica Memorial Day, Remembering Srebrenica – the charity that organises the UK’s Srebrenica Memorial Day – is holding three national Memorial events, and more than 20 local events across the UK from 6-13 July.
Four of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Survivors, Hatidža Mehmedović, Mejra Đoguz, dr Fatima Dautbašić-Klempić, and Nirha Efendić, eminent conductor, Emir Nuhanović, filmmaker Adis Bakrač, and French composer Éric Breton will attend the main events. The Mothers and Survivors will share their stories, while the artists have composed two pieces and made a specially commissioned film for the key events.
The Mothers and Survivors will enjoy a number of high-profile meetings with politicians and faith leaders, including with the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
President Bakir Izetbegović will make the keynote address at the memorial reception in London on 8 July. The event will feature prominent speakers, including Judge Theodor Meron, President of the International Commission Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and host government minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi (Senior Foreign Office Minister and Minister for Faith and Communities).
Scotland and Wales are also holding their first Srebrenica Memorial events. A high-profile reception will be taking place at Bute House – the home of the leader of the Scottish government on 11 July. Wales will hold a reception at the National Museum of Wales on 9 July. Government ministers and faith leaders will attend and speak at both events.
The charity and its volunteers have put together an impressive programme of more than 20 events across the country. Events will be held in community centres, police stations, mosques, churches, council facilities, and a cathedral, attended by a range of local leaders and dignitaries, and all with the focus of honouring the dead and learning lessons from the atrocity.
Dr Waqar Azmi, chairman of Remembering Srebrenica said:
“Since the inaugural Srebrenica Memorial Day last year public awareness of the genocide has increased significantly. Remembering Srebrenica is proud to have more than 100 pledges from delegates who have participated in the Lessons from Srebrenica education programme. It is the result of honouring these pledges, and with the support of the British government, that has made Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Week possible.”
For media enquiries, interviews and photographic requests please call Sally Mills on (+44) 752 858 1722 or email pr@srebrenica.org.uk
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Background Notes
The UK is the only country outside BiH to hold Srebrenica Memorial events, and is leading the way in raising awareness of the genocide and its lasting legacy.
Remembering Srebrenica’s dual aims are to raise awareness of the Srebrenica genocide, while also learning the lessons that the atrocity can teach about the need to tackle hatred within society. It has sent six delegations to Srebrenica as part of its education initiative, ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ with delegates including faith leaders, government ministers, parliamentarians, local councilors, academics, journalists, and young leaders.
Remembering Srebrenica works with the British government. With the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Communities and Local Government, as well as its many supporters, the charity has put together a whole week of events running from 6-13 July. If you would like details of these events, please contact Sally Mills on (+44) 752 858 1722 or email pr@srebrenica.org.uk
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