United States Embassy in Bosnia called for tolerance and reconciliation in its latest message marking the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, when Bosnian Serb forces overran the then UN's protected zone, killing over 8,000 people in a matter of days.
“We solemnly remember those who lost their lives 25 years ago: the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica. To honour their memory, we share a responsibility to promote reconciliation, respect, and tolerance. Together, we must ensure a tragedy like Srebrenica is never repeated,” the Embassy tweeted and posted on their Facebook page.
We solemnly remember those who lost their lives 25 years ago: the victims of the genocide in #Srebrenica. To honor their memory, we share a responsibility to promote reconciliation, respect, and tolerance. Together, we must ensure a tragedy like Srebrenica is never repeated. pic.twitter.com/BcM28bD7Mf
— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) July 11, 2020
During the 1992-1995 Bosnian war for independence from the former Yugoslavia, the country lost over 100,000 people, over 8,000 of which were lost in July 1995 in Srebrenica, when Bosnian Serb forces, which received financial and logistical support both from Serbian authorities and individuals during the war, overran the then UN-protected zone of Srebrenica.
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The International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY) for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice later ruled that the massacre was an act of genocide.
International and regional courts have sentenced 45 people for what happened in Srebrenica to a total of more than 700 years behind bars.
Those who the ICTY sentenced to life imprisonment are Ljubisa Beara, Zdravko Tolimir, and Vujadin Popovic. But the most well-known alleged masterminds of what happened in Srebrenica are former Bosnian Serb politician Radovan Karadzic and ex Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic, and both have been sentenced for it but have appealed.
