Swedish Nobel laureate: I warned the world that genocide would be committed in Srebrenica, but no one listened

(Patria) - In Stockholm yesterday, as part of the international project "The World Remembers Srebrenica", a forum and exhibition "Genocide in Srebrenica: Eleven Lessons for the Future" were held.

After student Medina Jegić performed the poem "Inferno", the moderator of the forum, university professor in Sweden Adnan Mahmutović, presented the project and pointed out the significance of this event for the Swedish public, while Mehmed Hasanbegović, president of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Sweden, addressed the audience on behalf of the hosts.

Lectures were given by Hikmet Karčić, research associate at the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo, who is also the author of the exhibition, and Nobel laureate Christina Doctare.

Speaking about the genocide in Srebrenica, Doctare said she remembers what was being prepared for Bosniaks, given that she reported from Bosnia during the war.

- I warned the world that genocide would be committed, but no one listened. It is imperative that we fight against the denial of genocide, which has left immeasurable consequences and transgenerational trauma.

When I heard that "Nobel" was being given to a genocide denier, I wanted to take my medal and throw it in their faces, but I held it up at protests, showed it to everyone, and sent it to Srebrenica - said Doctare about the decision to return the Nobel Prize, after the award was given to writer Peter Handke, who denies the genocide in Srebrenica.

She particularly emphasized the importance of supporting women victims of war who have survived the crime of rape.

Before the forum, attendees watched the testimony of Ahmed Hrustanović from Srebrenica, whose father and numerous relatives were killed in the Srebrenica genocide, and listened to a very moving address by Aisa Jahić from Srebrenica, who had many family members killed.

"The World Remembers Srebrenica" is an international project aimed at informing the world public about the facts related to the genocide in Srebrenica.

- The Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in BiH, with the help of partners, is implementing the project "The World Remembers Srebrenica" in several cities around the world this year, with the aim of honoring the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica and marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide committed against Bosniaks in 1995 in Srebrenica - stated Muhamed Jusić, director of the Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

Dr. Hikmet Karčić, the author of the exhibition, considers it extremely important to speak the truth outside the borders of BiH.



Photo: Mina

- Speaking about the genocide outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina is of key importance for preserving the truth, combating denial, and educating future generations.

One of the most important steps in this direction is the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica. This resolution represents international recognition of the final and binding fact that genocide was committed in Srebrenica in July 1995 - said Karčić.

Among others, representatives of the non-governmental sector and religious communities in Sweden attended the program, who, after the forum, continued socializing and viewed the exhibition, which will remain in this form at the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Sweden and will be available to all associations in Sweden that wish to use this exhibition on other occasions.

In this context, the chief imam of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Sweden, Idriz-ef. Karaman, invited all interested parties to contribute to spreading the truth about the Srebrenica genocide in this and other ways.

- Numerous Swedes do not have insight into what happened, but our younger generations also need to have insight into the facts, which is why this exhibition, which will tour Sweden, is extremely important - said Karaman.

The wider world public will have the opportunity to follow the online version of the exhibition on the website www.remember.ba, as well as the project's campaign on social networks.

The project is implemented by the Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyaset of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the support of the Federal Ministry of Displaced Persons and Refugees of BiH.