Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide: Remembering Srebrenica is a universal warning to the world and must remain so

(Patria) - On the occasion of social media posts and public statements calling for a boycott of the Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center, and in which this institution is attempted to be drawn into contemporary political and ideological conflicts, we feel obliged to respond clearly and unequivocally, stated the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide.

The judgments of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as well as the judgments of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have laid the foundation for justice and truth about the crimes committed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Precisely these final judgments have established the legal truth about the genocide in Srebrenica. These judgments represent a permanent legal and historical framework and cannot be subject to political interpretations, ideological polemics, or daily political campaigns.

The Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center is a sanctuary for the families of the murdered, the surviving victims, and all people who respect truth and justice. It is a place of permanent remembrance of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, a place of reverence, truth, and a warning to humanity. Any attempt to instrumentalize this institution for political purposes or use it for ideological campaigns represents a profound disrespect towards the victims and their families.

The fact that calls for a boycott of the Memorial Center are appearing in the public space is particularly concerning. Such calls do not represent just a political stance, but directly offend the dignity of the victims and families who have found in Potočari the only place where they can mourn their loved ones with dignity," the statement said.

The Association continues: "The Memorial Center is not and cannot be a platform for discussions about contemporary international conflicts. Attempts to relativize the tragedy of the genocide in Srebrenica or use it as an argument in other political and ideological polemics represent a dangerous and unacceptable precedent.

It is even more devastating that in such an atmosphere, surviving victims of genocide are publicly insulted and dehumanized. Insulting people who have survived genocide, denying their experience, or issuing threats represents a moral downfall and further victimization of those who have already suffered unimaginable loss.

We remind that the remembrance of the genocide in Srebrenica does not belong to political campaigns, ideological blocs, or daily polemics. It belongs to the families of the murdered and the universal struggle for truth, justice, and the dignity of the victims.

Therefore, we call on all actors in the public space, especially those who speak in the name of justice and human rights, to show a minimum of responsibility and respect. The Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center must remain above all political conflicts and ideological projections.

The dignity of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica and the sanctity of their burial place must not be subject to political showdowns, nor a means for conducting anyone's contemporary campaigns.

Remembering Srebrenica is a universal warning to the world and must remain so."