SREBRENICA GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION (TORONTO EVENTS): THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

An update from Toronto (Canada), including the text and beautiful photographs, kindly provided by Dina Bajric of FacePhotography.ca. Thank you Dina, we're proud of you. (More photos are available at this link!)

Two Honorable Canadian MPs, Mr. Brian Masse and Mr. Borys Wrzesnewskyj, commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide in Toronto, Canada.

The Bosnian Community of Toronto hosted a number of events to Commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Srebrenica, Bosnia & Hercegovinia Genocide. We were honoured to be a part of it, to capture moments of remembrance for a time in history that must never be forgotten and never again repeated anywhere to anyone.

For the past 15 years, survivors of the Srebrenica genocide have been seeking justice for the 8,372 men and boys killed by Bosnian Serb forces in what was supposed to be a United Nations protected enclave. Their witness accounts of this systematic, civilian massacre helped prosecutors convict seven men in The Hague earlier this month. Two former security officers received life in prison, and were handed down rare genocide convictions by a three-judge panel in the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Despite the convictions, the Canadian government has not yet passed a resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide as many other countries – including the United States and members of the European Union – have. But the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) community in Toronto believes that this violation of human rights needs to be recognized and remembered so as to decrease the chances of a similar war crimes occurring elsewhere in the world. Please help us support the resolution by signing this petition.

In partnership with the Congress of North American Bosniaks and the Institute for the Research of Genocide-Canada, the Southern Ontario Bosniak community hosted a series of well organized and well received events: a photo exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel, a silent march in downtown Toronto as well as a commemoration ceremony in Etobicoke this past weekend on the 15th year anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. All information is available at srebrenica.ca.

Srebrenica Photo Exhibit

On July 9th, 2010, the second floor of the Gladstone Hotel was host to the official start of a set of ceremonial activities organized by a dedicated group of volunteers. Three separate rooms housed three very distinct but connected experiences for the approximately 200 reception-goers, featuring award-winning photographer Roger LeMoyne’s exhibit “Srebrenica: The Absence”. This gripping photo series, which began in 1995, conveys the sense of loss, an unwavering need for justice and the importance of preserving history. In the main foyer on the second floor, a bright, eclectic, and mostly young crowd mingled as the Jusuf Dzilic (aka Genocide) video “Srebrenica” played on an iMac. Petition forms and informational pamphlets were available at the information desk to gain support from the Canadian public on passing the genocide resolution and bill currently in front of Parliament. Owing perhaps to the event’s timing, a large number of street-traffic was welcomed by an always abundant and receptive host group. Windsor-West MP Brian Masse continued to show his support for the Bosniak community and this important issue by personally attending the event alongside Mohummed Peer, his Legislative and Policy Advisor.

In the south-facing rooms, traditional Bosnian music, Sevdalinke, and traditional religious songs, Ilahije, were played as visitors viewed images that were both disturbing and impactful. In the north-facing room, pictures of the bereaved, the dead, and the still missing gave the impression of some end, but no closure, to the viewer. An equally heavy melody "Srebrenica" and visuals by Alma Ferovic played on a video screen, and this song combined with the images brought many visitors to tears.

Srebrenica Genocide Silent March

Over three hundred people, all wearing a distinctive bright yellow tee with the words “Never Forget / Srebrenica Genocide / July 11, 1995”, gathered in front of the Royal Ontario Museum at noon on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Comprised mostly of young Canadian Bosniaks, but with a healthy contingent of supporters from other communities, the group began a silent march through the streets of downtown Toronto. The lead group walked silently in a file of two, each member carrying a single letter that spelled out “SREBRENICA GENOCIDE” along the left, and flags of Canada and Bosnia on the right.

The procession walked on the right-hand sides and north sides of the street so that the placards could be seen by all, informing onlookers of the cause. Continuously handing out informational pamphlets and flyers to a very receptive Toronto public, the group made several stops at major Toronto media outlets such as CTV, CP24, and CBC, as well as major landmarks such as Yonge and Dundas Square, and Nathan Phillips Square. Canadians, Canadian-Bosnians and Canadian-Bosniaks on this day showed the civility, pride, and solidarity of a nation that continues to struggle for justice against those perpetrators of genocide in Srebrenica, elsewhere in Bosnia, and the world.

Srebrenica Commemoration Ceremony

The 2-hour program on the 15-year anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide began at 7PM on July 11, 2010 at the Bosnian Islamic Association. The hall was decorated with the photos of Roger Lemoyne, various books on the Srebrenica genocide, related poetry, informative quotes and yellow lilies (a symbol of Bosnia and the Bosniak people). Near the entrance to the hall stood six large tables on top of which was listed the names of the 8, 372 men killed in Srebrenica 15 years ago. The tables were symbolically draped in green, as the tradition among Bosniaks is to drape the coffins of their deceased in green cloth.

Honorable MP Hon. Borys Wrzesnewskyj.

PHOTO (from left to right): Honorable MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Prof. Emir Ramic, Honorable MP Brian Masse and Honorable MP Rob Oliphant. [This photo was provided by Prof. Emir Ramic. Thank you!]

PHOTO (from left to right): Dina, Lejla, Honorable MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Mohummed Peer, Aldina, Prof. Emir Ramic, Honorable MP Brian Masse, Honorable MP Rob Oliphant. [This photo was provided by Prof. Emir Ramic. Thank you!]

An informative and heart-wrenching 27-minute documentary/memorial film outlining the circumstances of the fall of Srebrenica and individual stories of the massacre was played to a crowd of 300 that included Parliamentarians Hon. Brian Masse, Hon. Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Hon. Rob Oliphant, as well as distinguished guests.

The Srebrenica Memorial Film was followed by a short by Tarik Samarah as a preamble to the riveting account of a now 35-year old man who is an Omarska concentration camp survivor (he was held for 202 days). Fadil Kulasic, an experienced speaker, tailored his typically 3 hour talk, to 30 minutes, focusing on his most vivid and defining memories. Fadil's story, divided into six themes, left the audience speechless and tearful. He showed bravery and strength in sharing these difficult experiences with the audience. A common thread throughout his speech was one of strength and perseverance - both of which he needed to survive. Fadil mentioned that he often heard other victims like himself proclaim “Ne daj se, Bosno!” (Don't give up, Bosnia), reiterating to the audience that they should never give up on their home country and never forget the atrocities that occurred there. Fadil believes he is alive today because he would always look his captors directly in the eyes - he refused to turn his back to them, even when they demanded that he do so. He knew his captors were cowards. He also believed that if there was any ounce of humanity left in them, that they wouldn't be able to kill him if he continued to make eye contact. The final message he gave the audience was "never turn your backs on Srebrenica"

The final half of the program was filled by a rousing set of speeches from the MPs. Hon. Brian Masse’s passionate show of support and the message that Canada must recognize the genocide for the good of its citizens and for the sake of its reputation in the world was received with a standing ovation. Hon. Borys Wrzesnewskyj talked about loss and memory and Hon. Rob Oliphant discussed the need for truth and reconciliation and both these messages were also warmly received with standing ovations. The Bosniak community and their supporters were honoured to have these three distinguished MPs attend the event and show their support for having Srebrenica recognized as a genocide in Canada and having July 11th recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day.

The evening closed with a moving commemoration ceremony that involved the laying down of yellow lilies, by each attendee, on the tables containing the names of 8, 372 men and young boys that were killed. A traditional ilahija, "Don't Grieve With Tears", sung by Mensura Bajraktarevic played throughout the hall.

(More photos are available at this link!)