July 11 Declared Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day in Several Canadian Cities

CANADA, (Patria) - On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, mayors of Canadian cities Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor and Saskatoon have proclaimed July 11 as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day. These proclamations demonstrate human dignity and solidarity with the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Institute for Genocide Research Canada announced.

"The proclamations are yet another great contribution to the truth about the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the genocide against Bosniaks, and a contribution to justice for the victims of these crimes. They help institutions studying lessons related to the Srebrenica genocide, and provide guidelines for action to prevent genocide to political, legal, and human rights and freedoms protection institutions. The proclamations confirm the determination of Canadian cities to preserve and strengthen the independence, statehood, state legal subjectivity and territorial integrity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Srebrenica Flower, a symbol of remembrance of the genocide, has been installed in the Canadian cities of Windsor and Toronto. The Srebrenica Flower is a symbol of a culture of remembrance so that the greatest human suffering in Europe after World War II is never forgotten. The flower is a symbol of the fight against genocide, mass human suffering, genocide deniers, and the glorification of war criminals convicted with final verdicts. By installing the Srebrenica Flower, we also pay tribute to the state of Canada, which has done so much in the field of the culture of remembrance of the genocide in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina," the IGR announced. 

On the billboard in front of Hamilton City Hall, by decision of Mayor Fred Eisenberger, it is written: "July 11 Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day in Hamilton. We pay tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide." In memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, by the mayor's decision, the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina was raised on the flagpole in front of the Hamilton City Hall building. At the same time, the great symbol of the city of Hamilton is in white and green, symbolizing the Srebrenica Flower.

Sponsor of both resolutions on the Srebrenica genocide, sponsor of the petition for criminal sanctions against genocide deniers, sponsor of the White Ribbon Day in Canada, member of the Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina Club in the Canadian Parliament, Brian Masse, on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, issued a statement stating:

"It has been 24 years since the genocide was committed in Srebrenica, where more than 8,000 Bosniak victims lost their lives. The anniversary of this terrible event is commemorated every year on July 11 in Canada. On that fateful day in 1995, military and paramilitary forces of Bosnian Serbs, led by war criminal General Ratko Mladić, killed more than 8,000 Bosniaks, men, boys and the elderly who were seeking safety in the region after the fall of Srebrenica. Also, an additional 25,000 Srebrenica residents were forcibly deported to the enclave that was under UN protection. That genocide was named by the European Parliament as one of the 'greatest war crimes in Europe after World War II'. After my visit to Srebrenica and meeting with the Mothers of Srebrenica, local leaders and many other people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I will fight even more for the truth about the Srebrenica genocide. To the people of Srebrenica and thousands of Canadian Bosniaks, victims of the genocide, I pay tribute and remember the victims, with a promise to continue the fight so that such a crime never happens again."

Emir Ramić, director of IGR, thanking Canada for its continuous support to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the culture of remembrance, said that the genocide is a social, historical and scientific truth.

"Those who deny the genocide established by international courts are ready to commit it again. Denial of genocide is an attack on truth and memory. We remember the past and watch over the future. We warn future generations that the fight for a culture of remembrance is universal. In that fight, knowledge and education play a crucial role. Accepting the past is the first step towards a better future. We must never forget. Our task is to understand the past, to secure evidence and facts for future generations in order to prevent the denial of genocide and the triumphalism of criminals," Ramić said. 

At the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg on July 11, a special commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide will be held. Organized by Canadian Bosniak Islamic centers in Toronto, a special religious program will be held on July 11.

This year's Canadian remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide concludes in Windsor on Saturday, July 13, in front of the first monument to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in the diaspora.