Suljagić in the US Senate: Today we witness the will of a people to survive!

(Patria) - Director of the Srebrenica Memorial Center Emir Suljagić addressed a commemoration held in the US Senate building in Washington on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, calling at the time for a renewed commitment to opposing denial and distortion of historical facts.

"I shouldn't be here today – but here I stand. My presence is not a testament to me alone, but to the will of a people to survive. The events of July 1995 continue to echo painfully in our community – the more than 8,000 innocent lives lost in Srebrenica in just five days of July 1995, after three and a half years of siege, mass and systematic violence – are a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty. It was an attack on the existence of our people on all fronts: political, economic, moral, cultural, and biological. For me and my generation of Bosniaks, this is not just a chapter from history, but a deeply personal story of survival," Suljagić said at the time.

As he stated, as a seventeen-year-old boy, he fled the terror and destruction that befell Bosnia and Herzegovina, his city, and his family in 1992. Although, he says, he was lucky enough to escape that horror, his family and he could not escape Srebrenica.

"But we came to Srebrenica not to lose hope – but to survive. During the siege, Srebrenica was a symbol of hope, resistance, and sacrifice, values that sustained us in the darkest moments. Those who survived the initial waves of what is often called 'ethnic cleansing' found refuge in Srebrenica, clinging to hope and life despite impossible circumstances. Even in July 1995, our lives were not gifted to us by anyone; we fought, resisted, recorded, and preserved our memories. We knew that our voices, our stories, and our presence mattered," Suljagić emphasizes.

He recounted that in the final days, he was among the few Bosniak civilians who remained at the UN base in Srebrenica.

"While some UN members debated our fate, two American UN officials saved my life with decisive action. I am forever grateful to them, as their courage changed what seemed like my inevitable fate – to end up in a mass grave," says Suljagić.

He states that it is important to acknowledge that the tireless pursuit of justice for Srebrenica, largely through international judicial mechanisms, has been significantly advanced thanks to the support of the United States. Contributions to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) played a crucial role in bringing some of the main perpetrators to justice. These efforts, he emphasizes, not only sought accountability but also honored the victims, affirming the dignity of our suffering.

"Personally, I want to acknowledge the continuous assistance to returnees and displaced persons in Srebrenica and other places, many of whom are still struggling with trauma in an environment that is, to say the least, hostile. The presence of American soldiers and peacekeeping forces in eastern Bosnia helped rectify some injustices and paved the way for the restoration of lives destroyed by violence. As we gather today, I call on everyone to renew our commitment to fighting against denial and distortion of historical facts. Education, remembrance, and advocacy are key to preserving these lessons," Suljagić said.

Finally, he concluded, let us honor those who perished by reaffirming our collective commitment to justice, peace, and human dignity.

"With allies like the United States, we will continue to fight against impunity and indifference, working towards a future based on remembrance and justice," said Suljagić.

The commemoration on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in the US Senate building in Washington was organized by the Congress of North American Bosniaks (KBSA).