COMMEMORATION Fejzić: We who survived the genocide have a duty to the victims, to build Srebrenica

(Patria) - A commemoration is being held at the former battery factory in Potočari on the 29th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995. The commemoration began with the playing of the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A large number of guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as from around the world, are attending the commemoration. Another 14 victims will be buried in Potočari. So far, 6,751 victims have been buried in the Potočari Memorial Centre cemetery.

Hamdija Fejzić, a survivor of the genocide and president of the Organisational Committee for marking the 29th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica, was the first to address the gathering.

“July 11, as the date when the execution of the genocide began, has been marked as a day of piety. Today, many of our proven friends are with us, who sympathise with the victims and strive, in the town where the genocide was committed, that it not be forgotten. For a full 29 years, the policy of denial has been pursued by those forces that denied the genocide and that provided refuge to those who were suspected and accused. Despite the law banning the denial of genocide, we have only one indictment. Thank you to the mothers of Srebrenica who, for 29 years, have endured humiliation but have also persevered in the fight for the truth, without ever resorting to any act of revenge. Many mothers did not live to bury even a single bone of their loved ones,” said Fejzić.

He said that the duty of the survivors towards the victims of the genocide is to return to Srebrenica, to create life.

“Our motivation is the white tombstones. Returning to Srebrenica is an act showing we have not forgotten our murdered brothers. Our motivation to build Srebrenica is also you, who arrive in Potočari every July 11. When everyone returns to their homes, we will stay in Srebrenica and continue our struggles. The boys born after the genocide, who bear the names of their grandfathers. When you leave, think of them and their future,” said Fejzić.