Across the globe, organized by the Bosnian diaspora, as well as a large number of local residents, the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide has begun.
July marks the month of remembrance for the more than 8,372 victims of the Srebrenica genocide, committed 26 years ago in the UN-protected area of Srebrenica. In the United Kingdom, a program was held on Monday to honor survivors and remember the victims of the genocide, organized by the Bosnia & Herzegovina UK Network and the Remembering Srebrenica West Midlands Committee. The program was attended by: Mat Shaer , Chair of Remembering Srebrenica West Midlands, Anes Cerić , Manager of the BiH UK Network, Zaim Pašić , President of the BH UK Network, Vanja Filipović , Ambassador of BiH to the UK, and life stories were presented by second-generation survivors Selma Bektić and Amina Mekić .
BRITISH PARTICIPATION
– This year we were forced to organize online events, but we are also organizing several events in our premises, while adhering to epidemiological measures , we were told by BH UK Network, noting that last year’s online commemoration was attended by survivors of Srebrenica, students attending Bosnian supplementary schools in the United Kingdom, artists, and numerous Britons.
On the same day, Brent Council organized a commemorative remembrance of the victims of the genocide, which was attended by survivors Amra Dautović , and Sadida Trozić and Lejla Delić on behalf of the BiH Counseling Center . The Solidarité Internationale Bosnie-Herzégovine – France association announced the organization of the second Peace March in Paris, and a commemoration of the murdered and missing persons. Florence Hartmann, journalists Ed Vulliamy and Jean Hatzfeld, and the associations Mères pour la paix and Enfrance du Monde also participated in last year’s Paris Peace March. This year’s Peace March starts on July 11th at 9:30 a.m. from Trg Venecuele, and ends in Srebrenica Street. The day before, on July 10th , a conference titled 26 Years of Srebrenica will be held, organized by the French municipality of Halluin.
As a result of the restrictions introduced in New South Wales, the commemoration of the victims of the genocide in Canberra, Australia, has been postponed. However, at the initiative of Amir Šahinović , the Honorary Consul of our country in Australia, who formed an organizing committee composed of Bosnian associations and individuals from New South Wales, it was decided that a wreath would be laid in front of the BiH Embassy in Canberra, where flags will be flown at half-mast on July 11 , on behalf of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians in Australia. If the competent institutions approve, a similar act will be held in front of the Bosnian Cultural Center in Sydney.
The first part of the program, namely the daily program of the traditional Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Genocide organized by BiH associations and organizations in Sweden , which is being celebrated in Stockholm, will be held on July 11 at Norrmalmstorg from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. , where short films by Srebrenica survivors will be shown on a large screen. A live broadcast of the funeral from Potočari will also be available. At the same time, a group of activists will distribute flowers of remembrance and leaflets with information, and talk to interested passers-by about Srebrenica and the meaning of remembering the greatest genocide since World War II.
CULTURE OF MEMORY
The second part will focus on the importance of the culture of memory through institutions, and a panel discussion “Through the Culture of Memory of the Srebrenica Genocide” will be held starting at 7 pm in an online format with representatives of the Srebrenica – Potočari Memorial Center, the Center for Post – Conflict Research and Civil Rights Defenders: Amra Begić , Velma Šarić , Hasan Hasanović , Azir Osmanović and Ena Bavčić .
The Genocide Research Institute of Canada , in collaboration with congregations in Canada, will organize a commemoration dedicated to those killed in Srebrenica on July 10th at 7:30 AM via the Zoom platform.
– We point out the necessity of overcoming the culture of impunity, and the necessity of preventing the denial of the genocide in Srebrenica , the IGK announced.
The 10th Ultramarathon Vukovar – Srebrenica started on Monday from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, to Vukovar, and yesterday the four ultramarathoners from Ovcara headed towards Potočari. The ultramarathoners will run five stages from Vukovar (Ovčar), through Vinkovci, Brčko, Janja and Zvornik to Srebrenica (Potočari) in a total length of 227 kilometers.
Matea Jerkovic
Liberation
