The High Representative of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, used his special powers to amend a law in order to enable better functioning of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Centre, his office said on Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Office of the High Representative (OHR), Schmidt amended the Law on the Center for the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery for the Victims of the 1995 Genocide, “thereby adjusting a previous High Representative’s decision in order to facilitate the work of the Memorial Center.” The adjustment will allow for unspent funds originally assigned for burials to be used for other purposes with prior consent of the donors.

“The High Representative took note of the limitations imposed by the previous decision on the allocation of donor funds, as well as the estimate of the Memorial Center’s Governing Board that less than half of the currently deposited funds would be sufficient for burials and headstones. It remains the duty of the Memorial Center to ensure a dignified and proper burial of the genocide victims, which is of utmost importance to their families and the survivors of the Srebrenica Genocide. This technical amendment therefore allows the Memorial Center, in consultations with the donors, to reallocate the remaining funds for other purposes, such as construction and maintenance, as well as for cooperation with other commemoration centers, foundations, and associations worldwide”, the statement said.

“The OHR has always been especially committed to the work and legacy of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center. Therefore, I decided to help improve the Center’s functioning by opening the possibility for reallocation of already available funds,” Schmidt said.

He stressed that the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center is “a crucial monument for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the efforts to promote truth and reconciliation.”

“Remembering the victims and understanding the scale and consequences of what happened in Srebrenica in July 1995, especially for younger generations, have a central role in these efforts. As such, this unique Memorial Center needs continuous care and attention from both domestic and international actors. In this sense, we should look into ways to ensure lasting rememberance of victims, and further expand the memorialization of the Srebrenica genocide and promotion of peace. The mission of the Memorial Center will continue to involve caring for the victims and commemorations, but additionally it will focus on education,” he said.

The statement added that the High Representative will remain committed to continuing support in this process.