At the Borehamwood Day Centre, the Hertfordshire Bosnian-Herzegovinian Association adequately marked the British National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide. The programme was hosted by a young member and former student of the Bosnian supplementary school, Fadin Omerović. The opening speech was given by
Alija Hamulić, treasurer of the association, who greeted all the guests and welcomed them.
The program included a short BBC film about Srebrenica, as well as a presentation on genocide by Sabit Jakupović, a Bosnian supplementary education teacher. He explained and informed the attendees about various aspects of genocide, with a special focus on the final phase of genocide, which is genocide denial.
“BiH does not have a Law on the Prohibition of Denial of Genocide, Holocaust and Other War Crimes. How else to explain the inhumane and uncivilized attitude towards victims, not only by denying the truth, but by openly glorifying convicted war criminals, by naming streets, schools or student dormitories after them. With or without the Law, the truth must be accepted. And the truth is that genocide was committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica and this has been established by the verdicts of the Hague Tribunal and the courts in BiH,” said Mr. Jakupović.
Our well-known member Nihad Filipović recited a couple of his songs. With his poetry, he touched the souls and hearts of those present. Selma Mustafić also addressed the guests with a short message: “I want to welcome you all and thank you for joining us, on this evening of remembrance of those who should never be forgotten; sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, the list goes on… Only in this room we have children who never got the chance to meet their grandparents, including my children, sons who grew up and wander. What would their lives be like if their father was on their side the first football match?
Sisters missing their brothers, daughters wishing their father could be there to celebrate their weddings. Mothers and fathers who have become parents themselves and finally truly understand the meaning of parenthood, but cannot ask for guidance from those who are supposed to be there for them. These are the innocent victims who were cheated, torn and stolen so early in life from all of us, who we miss every day and will never forget, but with the strength that weakness has given us, we will do our best to spread awareness so that it is talked about, wherever possible starting with our own children.” 
Mustafić added “We are proud to say that we have already participated in the Holocaust Remembrance Postcard Project in 2018 which had a successful response from people in schools, libraries, prisons, communities and religious groups and many other settings across the UK. The interest and reaction from the project can be seen in the room, we were really touched by the comments and inspiration it gave to the next generation. We hope you will be more aware and help us to remember our loved ones, but most of all remember to be kind and show love to each other. Kindness and love cost nothing, but without it, wars and genocides can be caused.”
At the end of the program, Alija Hamulić thanked all the guests and invited them to help themselves to refreshments.
