Becirovic on Intl Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica: Serbia’s leadership refuses to face the truth

He said this is an important moment in the history of BiH.

“The adoption of the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide is an important moment in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, and the UN. It is our duty to consistently implement the content of the Resolution, as well as to prevent the repetition of genocide.

Today, in the hall of the UN General Assembly, I am not speaking only as a member of the Presidency of BiH and initiator of the activities related to the adoption of this Resolution. I speak as a man who shares the pain of the victims and the people against whom the only genocide on European soil since the Second World War was committed.”

Becirovic said that he speaks and advocates for justice and peace based on truth.

“I speak in the name of those who seek the truth. I speak in the name of those who, despite all suffering and injustice, do not hate and do not call for revenge. I speak in the name of those who love a proud and unbowed Bosnia and Herzegovina. I speak and advocate for justice, peace, and reconciliation based on truth.”

“Unfortunately, the leadership of neighboring Republic of Serbia still denies the final and binding verdicts of UN courts. It is absurd that a member state of this international organization denies the verdicts of UN courts. This is illogical, immoral, and unacceptable,” he said.

He added that the leadership of Serbia does not want to face the truth.

“The leadership of Serbia does not want to face the truth and reject the ideology and politics that led to the genocide. They do not distance themselves from war criminals who have been finally convicted. On the contrary — they try to make heroes out of them. On the other hand, we call for reason and truth. The dignity and honor of every nation are preserved through a policy of condemning war criminals,” Becirovic emphasized.

“We do not equate war criminals with an entire nation. We respect neighboring Serbia and its citizens. We want peace and equal cooperation,” he said.

He said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a future.

“Despite the aggression and joint criminal enterprises, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a future. I am convinced that, with the support of our friends around the world, we can build a modern, democratic, and prosperous state. We do not seek revenge. We seek truth and justice. Today, at the UN headquarters, where the UN Charter and numerous human rights conventions were adopted, we have a civilizational duty to bear witness to the truth.

To stand on the side of victims, not war criminals. To stand on the side of justice, not injustice. To be the ones who build a culture of remembrance, not oblivion.”

He also said that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s greatest strength is the truth itself.

“Our greatest strength is the truth. Our deepest inspiration is the future generations to whom we must leave a safe Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our most important allies are the states and people who believe in peace and justice.

Let Srebrenica be a place of life and future. Let justice be born from the fight for truth. May genocide never be repeated, anywhere, to anyone, ever again.”