Resolution on Srebrenica unanimously adopted in the US Congress

The US House of Representatives unanimously adopted the Srebrenica Resolution, defining the crime of July 1995 as genocide, reports the BH news agency Patria.

Resolution of the House of Representatives No. 310 confirms that the policies and aggression and ethnic cleansing carried out by Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina constituted the crime of genocide, and condemns all statements that dispute this term. It also urges that undeniable signs of genocide be recognized in future conflicts, and that such crimes be prevented, especially in light of the conflicts in the Central African Republic, Burundi, and Syria.

The resolution was proposed by Republican Congressman and Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Christopher Smith from New Jersey, in mid-June. Speaking before the House of Representatives, Smith said that the international community is almost unanimous in calling what happened in Srebrenica genocide.

- This week we pause to honor the brave Bosniaks who suffered and died, who were victims of genocide. This week, we, the people of the United States, men and women of goodwill around the world, express our deepest condolences and respect to the mothers and surviving family members who have suffered unspeakable grief and loss that time will never heal - said Smith.

He stated that 20 years ago, Bosnian Serb soldiers systematically killed more than 8,000 people in an area declared a "UN safe zone".

- They killed Muslim women and children, and particularly wanted to kill adult men. These brutal murders were not committed in combat, but against unarmed and helpless people whom Dutch peacekeepers assured would come to no harm if they surrendered - said Smith.

He said that UN troops were obligated by Security Council Resolution 836 to protect civilians, even with the use of force, but when the moment came, they offered very little resistance because the military commanders' primary goal was to protect UN troops, not civilians.

- Everyone was scared. It is easy to die in such an operation. As far as I know, we were not sent to Srebrenica to protect the enclave, but as some kind of observers - quoted Smith, one of the UN soldiers who was in Srebrenica. He expressed disappointment with such developments.

- These peacekeepers became observers of genocide, and soon they were more than that. Namely, on July 13, Dutch peacekeepers handed over Bosnian Muslims who had sought protection with them to the Serbs. They watched as men were separated from women and children, and this process was already known in Bosnia as a sure sign of impending death. These men were never seen or heard from again - said Smith.

Smith spoke to his colleagues about the testimonies of genocide victims that he personally heard from survivors. The resolution contains eight points:

1.) It is affirmed that the violence and ethnic cleansing carried out by Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 fall under the definition of genocide, according to Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

2.) Condemnation of all statements that deny or question the term "genocide" in relation to Srebrenica.

3.) The Committee for the Prevention of Genocide is urged to learn lessons from Srebrenica in order to prevent future crimes, particularly with regard to Syria, Burundi, and the CAR.

4.) The US is encouraged to continue and strengthen its support for the territorial integrity and independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, peace and stability in Europe, and the right of all people, regardless of national, racial, religious, or ethnic background, to return to their homes and enjoy democracy, the rule of law, and economic opportunities, and to learn the fate of missing relatives and friends.

5.) The achievements of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) are recognized, and the organization is commended for its assistance to BiH and for finding approximately 90 percent of those missing after the crime in Srebrenica and 70 percent of those missing in the entire conflict in BiH.

6.) The arrest and extradition to the Hague tribunal of all persons accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and violations of the Geneva Conventions are commended, particularly the arrests of Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, which have helped strengthen peace and reconciliation between the countries of the region and their citizens.

7.) It is recognized that it is in the national interest of the US for persons responsible for crimes and violations of the laws and customs of war to be held accountable for their misdeeds, and that the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia should be given constant support until all trials and appeals processes are concluded.

8.) Tribute is paid to the thousands of people killed in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in July 1995. Tribute is also paid to foreign nationals, including US citizens, and individuals in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in the region, who risked and in some cases lost their lives in defense of human rights, freedoms, and respect for ethnic identity without discrimination.