Attitude towards victims from Omarska is a policy of genocide denial

The Institute for Research on Genocide from Canada has sent a letter to ArcelorMittal director Mladen Jelača regarding the opening of a plant at the Omarska mine near Prijedor, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Executive director Mladen Jelača, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ArcelorMittal, said:

- We are extremely proud of what has been achieved in the past 10 years. Through planned investments, as well as the knowledge and determination of our workforce, we have laid the foundation for long-term, sustainable and successful operations. At the same time, we are also successful and confident in our social responsibility in the environment in which we work. We are proud of our achievements in that area, just as we are proud of our business success - announced the Institute for Research on Genocide from Canada.

Namely, a few days ago, two facilities were put into operation at the Omarska mine near Prijedor, in which the company ArcelorMittal Prijedor invested six million euros.

We transmit the letter in its entirety:

Mr. Jelača,

We are addressing you with this letter because we consider your actions regarding the former Omarska death camp unacceptable and completely immoral. Since you have not responded to our previous letters, we find that the letter on the occasion of 10 years of your company's operation is yet another way to attract your attention.

In December 2005, at a press conference of the company ArcelorMittal in Banja Luka, you announced plans for the “Omarska” memorial center, the construction of which would be financed by the company ArcelorMittal.

Since then, ArcelorMittal has abandoned its commitment to financing and building the “Omarska” memorial center, stating in February 2006 that “work on the project is temporarily suspended.” After that, ArcelorMittal began denying victims the right to visit the crime scene.

On behalf of the victims of genocide in Prijedor who live in North America, many of whom were horribly tortured in the Omarska death camp, the Institute for Research on Genocide, Canada (IGC) once again warns you:

- Your current stance and attitude regarding Omarska is irresponsible, dangerous and represents a policy of genocide denial. Therefore, we urge you to immediately implement responsible measures and fulfill the promise you made to the victims of the Omarska concentration camp.

The IGC will continue to inform the political bodies of the USA and Canada and organizations for the protection of human rights and freedoms about your humiliation of the victims of genocide in Prijedor - states the open letter sent to ArcelorMittal executive director Mladen Jelača by Emir Ramić, the head of the Institute for Research on Genocide from Canada.