Schmidt: We must have decisive actions from the Prosecutor's Office, younger generations must know what led to genocide

(Patria) - A commemoration is being held at the Memorial Center in Potočari, followed by a funeral and burial of 30 victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, the most heinous crime committed in Europe since World War II, in which the forces of the Army of Republika Srpska killed 8,372 Bosniak men and boys in a few days.

Christian Schmidt, the High Representative in BiH, said during his commemorative speech that we must understand and mourn.

"The lessons of Srebrenica must never be forgotten. We must go back to the beginning and understand that it is a moral duty, especially for the international community, which did not contribute to justice 20 years ago, did not enable a future for the younger generations, for that reason today is the right opportunity to mark what happened, but also to turn to the future," Schmidt stated.

He said that this is easier said than done, as it sparks great debates.

"Younger generations must know what led to the genocide and what its consequences are. An important step is to strengthen the capacity and capabilities of the Memorial Center in Potočari to create memories through education. For reconciliation in society to be effective, truth and justice and the guarantee that this will never happen again are key. The MC should become a key institution to support reconciliation and preserve peace. Munira, you appealed yesterday for July 11th to be officially recognized as a day of mourning, and I agree with that. I know what it means in Germany when we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. I call on all Europeans to join this initiative," Schmidt emphasized.

The High Representative also stressed that tensions that call into question committed crimes must be stopped.

"Hasan Hasanović, who put his experiences into a book, speaks about those who deny this. The history taught in schools is a burden for younger generations, and therefore I call on domestic authorities to prosecute the denial of genocide so as not to spread suffering," Schmidt stated.

He added that we must have decisive actions from the Prosecutor's Office of BiH.

"All those who, in the context of my predecessor's legislation, which I will probably expand, must know that those who deny and glorify crimes cause pain not only to families but to all of humanity," Schmidt conveyed.

He called for regulations to be made according to which convicted criminals cannot hold public office.

"Their moral duty is to apologize to the victims. I hope that the wounds can heal, but we must consider the entire package for the future, and it also includes the issue of compensation for victims," Schmidt added.