Today, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a Resolution declaring 11 July as the International Remembrance Day of the Genocide in Srebrenica.
We are proud that Montenegro, despite strong pressures and an intense disinformation campaign, in the end voted for this Resolution, standing in line with the countries of democratic practice, among which are almost all EU members.
This is an important day for survivors and their families and recognition of their suffering on the international stage.
Denying, relativizing and justifying the genocide in Srebrenica that we have seen during the last month is the best indicator of how much the Resolution is needed.
We hope that the Resolution will help new generations to be more ready to see the dangers of extreme nationalism and any form of denial of others that leads to the most serious violations of human rights, such as the genocide in Srebrenica.
We remind you that this is the most massive crime in Europe after the Second World War, which happened during the lifetime of many of us, on the soil of our once common state, in which at least 8732 people and children were killed.
After more than a month since the launch of the public appeal for Montenegro to co-sponsor the Resolution, this initiative has brought together 111 NGOs and over 500 active citizens ready to engage in a fundamental value issue. We hope that this great example of unity in the civil society of Montenegro, based on respect for the decisions of international courts and recognition of the suffering of others, will be an incentive for new joint initiatives for the benefit of our entire society.
Jovana Marović, Advisory Group Balkans in Europe (BiEPAG)
Dina Bajramspahić, Civic activist
Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action
Daliborka Uljarević, Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO)
Ljupka Kovačević, Center for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA
Maja Raičević, Women’s Rights Center
Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro
Milica Kovačević, Center for Democratic Transition
Zorana Marković, Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations
Velija Murić, Montenegrin Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights
Olivera Nikolić, Montenegrin Media Institute
Ivana Vujović, Juventas
Aida Perović, Prima
Jovan Ulićević, Spektra
Demir Ličina, Association “Štrpci – Against Forgetting”