Canadian Hamilton Pays Tribute to the Victims of Prijedor

CANADA, (Patria) - Since 2016, the Canadian city of Hamilton, in solidarity with the victims of the genocide in Prijedor, has joined the International Day of White Ribbons campaign. The citizens of that city are becoming aware of the scale of the genocide crime that occurred in Prijedor. White ribbons are one of the proofs of genocidal intent in Prijedor, according to the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada.

This year again, thanks to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, the large electronic billboard in front of the Hamilton City Council building displayed: "Hamilton supports the International Day of White Ribbons" in memory of the persecution and murder of 3,176 citizens of Prijedor and its surroundings.

"The Day of White Ribbons remains a constant symbol of the struggle in Canada and the world against the continuous denial of the genocide crime in Prijedor, against police bans on memorial gatherings for victims in Prijedor, against the continuous refusal of local authorities to allow the construction of a memorial for murdered children and civilian victims. The Day of White Ribbons is also a symbol of the struggle for truth and justice, for human rights and freedoms, for respect for the other and the different throughout the world. Therefore, we ask that May 31st become a permanent date marking the Prijedor 'white ribbons', that it be institutionalized and become part of institutional memory. It is also an opportunity to declare May 31st a day of struggle against the physical marking of people, the most morbid dehumanization, segregation and apartheid, and crimes against humanity and international law that followed the marking of victims.

We recall the very important statements of members of the Government and Parliament of Canada, which place this country, a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as unique in the world in commemorating the Day of White Ribbons.
John Baird, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada:

"The Day of White Ribbons in Canada is a memorial to the victims of the terrible crime in Prijedor. Canada strongly condemns all forms of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Canada supports efforts to raise awareness of the crimes committed in Prijedor through the 'Day of White Ribbons in Canada', in the hope that the perpetrators of these terrible crimes will be brought to justice, so that the process of reconciliation can begin for all those affected by these horrific crimes."

Brian Masse, sponsor of both resolutions on genocide in Srebrenica adopted by the Canadian Parliament, sponsor of the parliamentary petition for criminal sanctions against deniers of genocide in Srebrenica in Canada:

"I respectfully support the 'World Day of White Ribbons' as a global campaign aimed at stopping the denial of genocide. On May 31, 1992, authorities in Prijedor, a city in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, ordered all non-Serbs to mark their houses with white flags and to wear white armbands when leaving their homes. Today, we remember the brutality of that hatred and cruelty. It is our duty to ensure that the crime of genocide is permanently eradicated, that the victims of such crimes are remembered, and that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. Today, on the day of remembrance and support for the victims of crimes, the entire global community is dedicated to truth, justice, and respect for the victims of Prijedor and their families."

Let May 31, 1992, serve as a warning of the evil that happened in Prijedor and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and let us all act together to prevent the recurrence of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. The genocide in Prijedor is a black mark on the conscience of the international community and the consciousness of those who committed the crime. It is our obligation to remember and commemorate. So that it is never forgotten and never happens again," states the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada.