An ornamental cherry tree (Prunus schmittii) was planted in the St Thomas Peace Garden by Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equality, and Chief Superintendent Mat Shaer , Head of West Midlands Police’s Hate Crime Unit.
The tree planting ceremony is dedicated to the memory of the victims of genocide and at the same time a pledge that the city of Birmingham will use the lessons from Srebrenica in the fight against prejudice, discrimination and hate crimes. The tree also pays tribute to the City of Birmingham’s ongoing support for the Bosnian community and the Memory of Srebrenica.
Cllr Cotton said: “This tree is a symbol of the Bosnian community and all other communities in Birmingham, that we must never forget the genocide in Srebrenica and reaffirm our commitment to stand against all forms of hatred and prejudice – which have no place in our city.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial that we come together as people in the United Kingdom, regardless of our backgrounds, to celebrate diversity and stand together in solidarity – and together build a better future free from hate.”
More than 8,000 men and boys were killed simply because they were Muslims during the Srebrenica genocide on July 11, 1995, and more than 100,000 were killed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
Superintendent Shaer , who is also Chair of the Remembering Srebrenica West Midlands Regional Committee, added: ” I am extremely grateful to Birmingham City Council for their continued support in honoring the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The Peace Garden is the most appropriate location and the planting of a tree with a memorial plaque will be a lasting testament to that support.”
In the UK, Srebrenica Week of Remembrance is held every year to mark the anniversary of 11 July, what is considered the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War. 
Lejla Delić , a second-generation genocide victim, had more than 30 family members killed in this oldest crime on European soil since World War II. She also participates in the Peace March every year. In her speech, she said: “I am in contact with Bosnian youth around the world and together we contribute to organizing the Peace March. I am proud of the fact that more than 1,000 commemorations are organized in the UK every year during the Srebrenica Remembrance Week. As a young person of Bosnian origin, I would like to thank the UK Government, the organization Remembering Srebrenica and its regional subcommittees, the BH UK Network and the many activists who make a huge contribution to ensuring that the Srebrenica genocide is not forgotten.”
St. Thomas’ Peace Garden in Birmingham is a monument to peace and a memorial to all those who died in armed conflicts. The Peace Garden is located in the immediate vicinity of St. Thomas’ Church, which was half-demolished during the bombing of Birmingham in 1940 and was never rebuilt. The garden was restored in 1955 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was redesigned in 1995 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II. When world leaders came to Birmingham for the G8 summit in 1998, they each planted a tree to represent their country. 
The ceremony was organized in cooperation with activists from the BH UK Network organization. and Remembering Srebrenica.
BH UK Network
