Twenty-five years since the genocide in Srebrenica, when Bosnian Serb forces overran the then UN's safe zone killing over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys, the horror is still deep and the past is very much with us, Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said in a video message on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the massacre.
“It takes courage, persistence, and time, to address the legacy of these atrocities. The steps that have been undertaken towards reconciliation are commendable. Every commitment to continue on this path must be encouraged,” Sommaruga said.
Coming to terms with past, she noted, means making genuine and collective efforts to establish facts and reach a common understanding of the events that unfolded, which is a very difficult process.
“As we commemorate the massacre today, we are reminded of the responsibility to persevere in the search for truth, resisting any attempts to undermind it. To recognize the injustice and suffering of the victims on all sides is to recognize to hold the authors of these crimes to account. Justice is a central tenant of the reconciliation, and it is vital that efforts to support and strengthen all relevant accountability mechanisms be continued,” she said.
“Today, we remember over 8000 victims of the massacre. So many lives forever and unjustly lost. We remember all those left behind. Lost lives cannot be replaced. We can mourn them and cherish their memory.
But for the survivors, the only hope for a better tomorrow is to work together towards reconciliation. Today's commemoration is a renowned call for us to do all we can that such atrocities are never repeated.
Every state must uphold its duty to protect its entire population, and continuously strive to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities. This will only be possible by promoting tolerance, respect for minorities, and the rule of law within a democratic framework. This is what souls who are with us today are whispering to our ears. We should listen to them,” the Swiss President said in her video message.
