Croatian Parliament Honors Srebrenica Genocide Victims

With a minute of silence, Croatian Parliament on Friday honored the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, in which the Bosnian Serb army and police killed more than eight thousand Bosniak men and boys 30 years ago, after the fall of the enclave that was under UN protection.

“I invite you to observe a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Srebrenica genocide with sincere sympathy for all members of their families,” said Deputy Parliament Speaker Furio Radin when calling on the MPs.

He emphasized that the crime in Srebrenica was an unquestionable act of genocide.

“This,” he said, “was also confirmed last year by the UN General Assembly, which declared July 14th the international day of reflection and remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide and called on all member states and other international and regional organizations to mark that day in a special way, especially condemning any denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals.”

He recalled how 30 years ago, in July 1995, in a safe zone declared by the UN Security Council and which was supposed to be protected by UN forces, the Bosnian Serb army, police and paramilitary formations committed one of the greatest crimes since World War II in Europe.

“In just a week, they took the lives of more than eight thousand people, mostly Bosniak boys and men,” Radin pointed out.

He emphasized that such senselessness ended with immense pain and sorrow for their loved ones, and that every year, especially at this time, their wounds open up, seeking truth and justice.

“They call on us not to abandon them to oblivion and not to stop searching for the truth and not to give up in the fight for peace,” said the Deputy Parliament Speaker.

He also stated that every memory of the victims, every condemnation of the committed crime is our contribution to creating a society with more appreciation, understanding and mutual respect.

Radin also reminded his colleagues that Croatian Parliament declared July 11th as the Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide in 2009 and that it has been marking that day with reverence for the past 20 years.

“Every year, since 2005 when we unanimously adopted the Srebrenica Declaration, we have been marking the memory of that Day with the greatest reverence in this high chamber,” he reminded his colleagues.

A number of European leaders and ministers travelled to Srebrenica on Friday, among whom was Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Last year, the UN General Assembly declared July 11th as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, which confirmed earlier verdicts by international courts on the genocide committed.

Source: HRT