UN COMMEMORATES SREBRENICA GENOCIDE

On 12 July, the UN Security Council began its meeting with a minute of silence in commemoration of more than 8,000 Srebrenica genocide victims.

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the 1995 Srebrenica genocide as "the largest atrocity on European soil since the founding of the United Nations."

"We vow, together, never again to allow such an atrocity to happen at any time...in any place. This we owe to the souls of Srebrenica. This we owe to our common humanity."

"The emergence of respect and trust after conflict also depends heavily on bringing perpetrators to account. Truth must be told. Justice must be done," Ban added.

"The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia have found that the horror of Srebrenica constituted a crime of genocide. These institutions are contributing significantly to the ongoing fight against impunity."

He warned "Until all those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes face those charges and are judged, our quest for justice, and the path towards healing, will remain incomplete."

"We cannot undo the past. But we must face it and learn from it to build a just and prosperous future. That means all of us – including the United Nations. The United Nations made serious errors of judgment in Srebrenica which weigh heavy on our collective memory and conscience. As Secretary-General Annan said in 1999, 'the tragedy of Srebrenica will haunt our history forever.' We must remain steadfast in ensuring that humankind never forgets those lessons."

"The work of the International Criminal Court, our efforts to protect civilians, our increased vigilance for early signs of genocide or other grave crimes, are all meant to reduce the risk of another such assault on innocents – and to fully prepare us if it does come. The age of impunity has passed, and the age of accountability is now taking over."

"Bosnia and Herzegovina is also teaching the world many lessons. You are applying your experience from this unspeakable tragedy to promote global peace as a member of the United Nations Security Council," Ban added.