11th July 2017
London, Guildhall, event to mark the 22nd
anniversary since the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I’d like to thank Remembering Srebrenica organisation for
their hard work and great humanity that they have shown. I consider myself very
lucky to have ended up in the UK when we escaped the war in Bosnia and had nowhere
to go, when we waited for fate to bring us to safety.
The event was very well organised in a beautiful venue. I
will not mention all of the speakers, though I am extremely grateful to each
and every one of them. It was an honour and a mark of respect for humanity that
people such as Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth and Rt Hon. Nicola Stugeon attended this
event in person.
Chair of Remembering Srebrenica, Dr Waqar Azmi reminded that
we must celebrate diversity and always find new ways to value our differences.
I agree with the sentiment wholeheartedly. It is only in diversity that we
learn new ways of life, which lead us forward. I do understand that tolerance
is sometimes a challenge, but I consider that a small price to pay for the
rewards and joy that diversity brings.
...
Angelina Jolie sent a recorded message for the event. I
believe I found her message the most heartfelt message I’ve heard in a long
time. Those of you who know me, know that I have not always been complimentary
of Angelina’s work, but that evening her message was flawless. It was just
beautiful. Simple, from the heart, honest.
...
Bakira Hasecic, a survivor from Visegrad, president of Zene
Zrtve Rata (Women Victims of War) spoke about supporting women survivors who
were raped and tortured and who refuse to speak about their ordeal due to the
way society will perceive them. She spoke about the importance of societies
coming together to support such victims and not judge them, since rape is used
as a weapon during a war. In the age when an American public figure openly says
“They can’t prevent it, so they should just enjoy it” about rape, it is vital
that every person stands up against rape. Enjoying it would be like suggesting
that if we can’t avoid being hit on the head with a bat, we should just try to
enjoy it. The idea is so pathetic and ridiculous that it is shocking anyone
would say such a blasphemy publically. I am pleased that Rt Hon. Nicola Stugeon
recognised that the work done by Bakira and her organisation is important for
all women all over the world.
Munira Subasic, president of Majke Srebrenice (Mothers of
Srebrenica) spoke about how justice has not been served, how the current Mayor
of Srebrenica is refusing to accept that there was a genocide in Srebrenica. He
even tried to organise an event praising Ratko Mladic as a national hero, same
Ratko Mladic who is currently in the Hague War Crimes Tribunal charged with the
genocide in Srebrenica among many other crimes against humanity. Munira spoke
about her son and how she has so far found only two of his bones. The bones
were discovered in two different mass graves which are 25km apart. She
considers herself lucky to have found any bones at all, since there are many
mothers who have died waiting for a confirmation that their child is dead.
Munira said that Serbs in that part of Bosnia know where the mass graves are located
but they refuse to share that knowledge even though it would bring much
deserved peace to the survivors. We must look hard at why is that. Why would
they refuse to share that information now?
From Bosnia, only Elmedin Konakovic came. Ambassador of
Bosnia and Herzegovina in London did not attend or even send a message to the gathering.
I was horrifically embarrassed and ashamed. I wished I could scram that people
of Bosnia are not like that; we do not expect that people of the UK should do
all the work, while we just sit back and do nothing at all. I’d like to think
that at least some of those who worked so hard know that we, people of Bosnia,
are not like that. Bosnia is facing great problems and we are working so hard,
but it’s just not enough. It is also for this reason that I wish to send
deepest gratitude to friends in foreign lands who selflessly fight for justice.
Speaking for the dead is not an easy task, yet one that must be done. And in
Bosnia, we have so many dead, and then so many current issues, the living are
struggling to just make ends meet, so our friends outside of Bosnia are vital
to us, they are our lifeline. So THANK YOU!
In the end, I’d like to wish Remembering Srebrenica all the
best in the future. I hope it goes without saying that anything we can do to
help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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