Srebrenica Memorial Center Responds to Israeli Ambassador Vilan: Genocide Was Ruled by the International Court

(Patria) - The Srebrenica Memorial Center strongly condemns the recent statements by the Israeli Ambassador to Serbia, Yahel Vilan, who denied the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995.

Ambassador Vilan's statements, suggesting that what happened in Srebrenica does not constitute genocide, are deeply disturbing and show extreme disrespect for the memory of the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys systematically executed by Bosnian Serb forces," the Srebrenica Memorial Center stated.

The reaction to the disgraceful statement by the Israeli ambassador also emphasizes that the genocide in Srebrenica has been "unequivocally established and recognized by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia".

"These rulings are the result of exhaustive investigations and trials, highlighting the scale and intent of the crimes committed. Denying these findings not only distorts historical truth but also inflicts additional pain on survivors and the families of victims who continue to seek justice and reconciliation.

Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly has declared July 11th as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica. This global recognition further solidifies the reality of the genocide, making any denial a blatant disregard for established international consensus.

We recall that Ambassador Vilan stated in a farewell interview with Tanjug: "We have never accepted the term genocide for what happened in Srebrenica. I want to reiterate, a very serious war crime definitely happened there, but from our point of view, it does not represent the term genocide".

"Ambassador Vilan's statements are not only a denial of historical facts but also a dangerous step backward in the fight against genocide and the prevention of future crimes. As a representative of a nation that has endured its own history of deep suffering and genocide, it is particularly discouraging to hear such denial from an Israeli diplomat.
The legacy of the Holocaust should teach us the importance of recognizing and condemning all acts of genocide, regardless of where and against whom they occur," the MC Srebrenica statement reads.

The Srebrenica Memorial Center stated that they firmly stand by their commitment to honoring the victims, preserving the truth, and educating future generations about the horrors of genocide.

"We will not be silenced by denial and will continue our mission to ensure that the world remembers and learns from the tragedy of Srebrenica."