There is no place for the denial of crimes committed during the Bosnian war or for the glorification of those who were found guilty of those crimes, US Ambassador Eric Nelson said in a video message on Friday, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, urging political leaders to move away from “inflammatory nationalistic rhetoric.”
Nelson said he will attend the Srebrenica Genocide Commemoration on Saturday, calling the 1995 massacre “a dark moment in history, not just in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but for all of humanity.”
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“On this anniversary, and always, the people of the United States express solidarity with the victims, survivors and families who grieve for their loved ones. We grieve with you,” the ambassador said.
Nelson said that Bosnia has made “great progress” in the past 25 years but that “the wounds of the past are still healing.”
“As Bosnia and Herzegovina strives for a prosperous future for all, there is no place for the denial of crimes committed during the war or for the glorification of persons who have been found guilty of those crimes,” he stressed.
He also pointed out that it must be clear that these crimes were not committed by entire ethnic groups and emphasized that it is important “to be honest about the tragic history of Srebrenica.”
Nelson said he will not be joining the annual March for Peace as he did last year, “out of respect for many survivors who had planned to participate but are unable to do so due to the COVID-19 crisis.”
“The virus forces restrictions on a number of marchers and participants of tomorrow’s commemoration, but I march with them in spirit,” he said.
“As we are forced to forgo things we have planned for, we cannot fail to learn the pandemic’s most important lesson – that human fragility is not bound by borders or ethnic divisions,” he added.
Nelson urged Bosnia’s political leaders to “advance reconciliation through action, and not just through rhetorical support,” arguing that “25 years after the genocide in Srebrenica, it is time to move away from inflammatory nationalistic rhetoric and inaccurate narratives that deepen, not heal, ethnic divisions.”
“Instead, leaders must take the sometimes difficult, but absolutely necessary steps to strengthen trust and goodwill, so that all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina can share the opportunities of a peaceful and prosperous future,” he said. “All those who were killed and lost loved ones in Srebrenica a quarter of a century ago deserve no less than this.”
“The United States remains committed to supporting all in Bosnia and Herzegovina for reconciliation, peace and justice,” Nelson concluded.
On this anniversary – and always – the people of the United States express solidarity with the victims, survivors, and families who grieve for their loved ones. We grieve with you – Ambassador Eric Nelson #USAmbBiH #Srebrenica #Srebrenica25 #USAinBiH https://t.co/gxt4LZ72TO
— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) July 10, 2020
