Preparations Begin for Marking Three Decades Since the Srebrenica Genocide

(Patria) - The first meeting of the Organisational Committee for marking July 11, 1995, the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks of the "UN Safe Area" Srebrenica, was held today at the Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Centre (MC).

Activities undertaken so far in preparing for the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks were discussed, as well as the Organisational Committee's report on activities for marking the 29th anniversary of the genocide and the burial of identified victims from July 1995.

Hamdija Fejzić, President of the Organisational Committee for marking the 30th anniversary, said that preparations have started on time.

- After the adoption of the Resolution on Genocide, the anniversary of the genocide is being marked worldwide, and everything should be coordinated from this place and everything should be reported here.

There is a lot we need to do, and we will have many meetings. I invite all those who can contribute to be involved in organising the 30th anniversary of the genocide - Fejzić said.

Munira Subašić, President of the Movement "Mothers of the Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves," appealed to the mothers of Srebrenica who have found the bones of their loved ones to give consent for burial.

- It is very important to record that someone existed in this world and has their own marker - Subašić stated.

She added that the Association of Mothers of Srebrenica will have a large number of activities as part of marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide.

- We will organise the placement of the Srebrenica Flower in front of the United Nations building, and I think that is very important and remains permanent. The Srebrenica Flower will also be placed in major cities across Europe. Most importantly, the Flower will be placed in Srebrenica as well.

A cornerstone will also be laid for the Museum of Mothers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that it remains recorded that there are mothers who fought for truth and justice. So far, we have done everything with dignity, and we will continue in the same way - Subašić said.

Alija Kožljak, Chief of Cabinet of the BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović and Vice-President of the Organisational Committee for marking the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, also notes that next year's commemoration of the genocide anniversary will include many more activities and at more locations.

From next year, as he said, it will be a global event in the sense that it will be marked institutionally and at the UN headquarters.

- BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović is already intensively involved in activities preparing for the 30th anniversary of the genocide, just as he worked intensively on preparing and adopting the Resolution in Srebrenica.

Given that it is the 30th anniversary, full support will be given to the Organisational Committee and all people involved in the implementation - Kožljak stated.