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Slovenian President on the 15th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide

Potočari, 11.7.2010  |  press release


Address by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, at the ceremony of mourning to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide
Potočari, 11 July 2010


Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk attends the ceremony of mourning to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide (photo: Tina Kosec/STA)Respected family members of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide,
Esteemed high representatives and citizens of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Distinguished guests,

Today, we are all citizens of Srebrenica.

We have come from near and far to honour the memory of the victims of the genocide that happened here in Srebrenica fifteen years ago. All of us who are gathered today for this occasion are aware of the immense evil that was brought on the people of these places. We also know that we must remember this great tragedy with deep compassion and do everything required to prevent it from ever happening again, whether here in Srebrenica or elsewhere in the world. Today, we solemnly stress our commitment to do our utmost to prevent any risk, any act and any passivity that could threaten to cause or allow genocide.

Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk attends the ceremony of mourning to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide (photo: Tina Kosec/STA)All of us that carry with us the memory of the traumatic experience of war in this part of Europe at the end of the 20th century, as well as the inherited traumas left by World War II and the massacres at its end, have a particularly great responsibility. We must understand how important it is to foster a respectful memory of the victims, how important it is to stand by the commitment to prevent past tragedies from ever happening again and how imperative it is to build a Europe and a world in which human rights are respected, in which peace and safety are guaranteed, and in which mothers and wives will never again have reason to mourn or fear.

Our commitment to preventing genocide is sincere and strong. Let no one have doubts about it. Everybody present here today knows that genocide is the supreme crime. Over eight thousand men and boys were systematically killed in a few days in Srebrnica, merely because they were Bosnians. Those who planned, prepared and committed this crime must be punished. Some of them have already been justly punished. However, there are far too many of those who are still evading justice. One of them is their commander, General Ratko Mladić. They must all be apprehended and brought to justice.

Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk attends the ceremony of mourning to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide (photo: Tina Kosec/STA)(in English:)

Distinguished guests,

Today, the whole of Europe and the entire World understands that reverence for the victims of genocide is a universal moral imperative and that this imperative demands a multitude of action. The tragedy of Srebrenica must not sink into oblivion. The perpetrators of the crime of genocide must be brought to justice. The international community has a sacred obligation to build the strongest firewalls against all threats of genocide and to ensure that the responsibility to protect is universally adhered to. International peace is the best protection against genocide. Let us redouble our efforts to ensure peace and security globally and make them irreversible. This is not utopia. This is the call of our time and our common obligation to the victims of Srebrenica. It is both realistically achievable and morally necessary.

Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk attends the ceremony of mourning to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide (photo: Tina Kosec/STA)(in Bosnian:)

Respected mothers of Srebrenica,

Your suffering is our common debt. I bring a message from Slovenia that you are not alone in your grief. Our condolences are sincere and profound. Violence against people without protection and without the means of self-defence is a serious evil and great crime. All the perpetrators must answer for their crimes. This is the only way to ensure justice, human dignity and lasting peace. All of us who have survived, particularly the young generations, must understand that forgiveness does not mean forgetting. The genocide that happened in Srebrenica will not be forgotten and our help for the survivors will always be there. May all the victims rest in peace. I wish, too, all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina every progress on their path towards a strengthening of justice, security, prosperity and dignity.

Thank you.
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