Ahmetović not traveling to London: Bosić prevented me from attending Srebrenica commemoration

The central national commemoration of the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in Great Britain will be held on July 6th in Westminster Abbey in London, writes the Patria News Agency.

In addition to the BiH Presidency member Bakir Izetbegović, state representative and Chairman of the Srebrenica Memorial Center Board Sadik Ahmetović also received an invitation to attend the commemoration. British Prime Minister David Cameron, government members, and members of the royal family will attend the central commemoration. The anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica will be marked in 50 British cities.

However, Ahmetović will not be traveling to London.

- I did not receive the consent of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of BiH, more precisely, Mladen Bosić was against it and did not give his consent. I have not received any official explanation as to why I cannot be in London for this important commemoration for Srebrenica, for BiH, but allegedly, as I have heard in some circles, there is a fear that I might be in contact with the individuals who initiated the British resolution on Srebrenica, Ahmetović told Patria.

Ahmetović also sent a letter to the hosts in London explaining why he is unable to attend the commemoration.

We are transmitting the letter in its entirety:

Dear friends,

In these difficult times, as Srebrenica silently awaits the burial of another 136 victims of genocide in Potočari, I am immensely grateful to you for sharing our pain and for the commemorations in your country, and for helping us to solemnly mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide around the world.

With your support and the support of friends around the world, Srebrenica will remain a place that warns, that reminds us that evil must not happen again, but also a place that has the strength to turn towards the future.

I regret that I was prevented from joining you to evoke memories of the most horrific event in Europe after World War II, to jointly pay tribute to the 8,372 victims of genocide, and to jointly share plans for the future, of which there is no shortage here in Srebrenica.