Last night, the theme for this year’s Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week was announced in Westminster. The theme was announced by the Rt. The Hon. Robert Jenrick , Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in the government of the Prime Minister of Great Britain Boris Johnson . The event was attended by members of the British Parliament, Haris Silajdžić , former member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as prominent politicians and representatives of various communities from Great Britain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and many members of the Bosnian community in Great Britain.
The theme for this year’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide is ” Every action matters.” The goal of this theme is to motivate people to show that their actions, no matter how big or small, can stand up to hatred, prejudice, and genocide denial.
The Secretary of State, the Rt. The Hon. Robert Jenrick , said: “25 years ago, we witnessed the Srebrenica genocide unfold. Over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed. Thousands more suffered. Many women and girls were sexually abused. The world watched as these horrific events unfolded. Too little action, too late. The theme of Srebrenica Remembrance Day 2020 is ‘Every Step Matters’. We must never forget what happened in Srebrenica and we must stand up to make a difference. It is our duty to do so, and it is the best way to honour those who were killed and remember those who survived.”
The attendees were addressed by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, President of the “Remembering Srebrenica” organization. In his speech, he reflected on the achievements of this organization since its founding in 2013. Over 90,000 young people have been organized and educated on the lessons of Srebrenica, nearly 7,500 memorial events and activities have been organized across the United Kingdom, 1,350 activists who helped organize these activities and who have committed to confronting hatred and intolerance in their local communities. He also thanked the Bosnian community in the United Kingdom, especially the Bosnia UK Network, for their immense support.
Dr. Haris Silajdžić , former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized in his speech that he was honored to be invited to attend such an event. He thanked the British government, the organization Remembering Srebrenica and all the individuals who helped the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina with their deeds. “What I would especially like to emphasize is that Great Britain was the first in Europe to hold a commemoration of the genocide in Srebrenica and the first country to start an extremely important project, which is education about the genocide committed in Srebrenica, so that the whole world, and especially the citizens of Great Britain and Europe, would be informed about this tragic event and the largest genocide committed in Europe after World War II,” said Dr. Silajdžić.
Member of the British Parliament, Bob Stewart, former British officer and commander of the British battalion within the UN peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, had the opportunity to address the audience. He once again shared his experiences when he set foot in Ahmice with his unit after the bloody massacre in which 116 Bosniak civilians were killed. “What I saw in Bosnia, among other things, the massacre in Ahmići is still the most traumatic event in my life. What happened is shameful and terrifying what human beings can do. I still go to Bosnia and Herzegovina, visit Srebrenica, Ahmići. I am proud to see that the organization ” Remembering Srebrenica” reminds everyone with its activities what happens when things get out of control.” said Bob Stewart.
The attendees were also addressed by Clare McIntosh, a student and young activist from Northern Ireland, Asma Shuweikh , and Sian Damon , a former journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with words of support for this year’s theme.
The Srebrenica Prayer was said by 13-year-old Ajla Vukalić , a second-generation survivor in Great Britain.
In his closing speech, Dr. Azmi Waqar, founder of Remembering Srebrenica , thanked everyone who came and supported this event. He thanked the organization’s team for their hard work and dedication, and the British government, without whose support and financial assistance, the work of Remembering Srebrenica would not have been possible. He emphasized that Remembering Srebrenica aims to raise awareness about the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, about what hatred brings, and to educate young British people about the atrocities in Srebrenica.
Hundreds of commemorations on this theme will be held across the country in local communities, schools and town halls during the UK Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week, which will run from 5 to 12 July 2020. The central commemoration will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 6 July 2020. More than 2,000 guests are expected to attend, including civic and political leaders, members of the Bosnian community and students.
BH UK Network
