UN To Vote On Declaring Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Day

The United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on Thursday on a proposal to establish an annual day of remembrance for the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. The move has been met with fierce opposition from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia, who have been accused of denying and downplaying the atrocity.

The proposed memorial day aims to honor the victims of the Srebrenica massacre, which took place during the Bosnian War. In July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces overran the UN-protected enclave of Srebrenica and systematically murdered over 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys. It was the worst atrocity committed on European soil since the Holocaust.

The proposal to establish a memorial day was put forward by Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of many other countries, including the United States and the European Union. The initiative is seen as a way to acknowledge the gravity of the genocide and to ensure that such atrocities are never forgotten or repeated.

However, Bosnian Serbs and Serbia have been fiercely opposed to the proposal. They have claimed that the memorial day would be divisive and that it would perpetuate a narrative that portrays only one side as victims. They have also argued that the term “genocide” is misleading and that the events in Srebrenica should be remembered as a “tragedy” rather than a genocide.

Despite these objections, the proposal has gained widespread support among UN member states. Many have expressed their backing for the initiative, citing the importance of remembering and learning from such atrocities to prevent them from happening again in the future.

The vote on Thursday is expected to be tight, with many countries likely to abstain or oppose the proposal due to pressure from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia. However, if passed, the memorial day would be a significant step towards recognizing the gravity of the Srebrenica genocide and ensuring that it is not forgotten or denied.

The establishment of a memorial day would also send a strong message to communities affected by such atrocities, acknowledging their suffering and providing them with a sense of justice and recognition. It would further underscore the importance of accountability for those responsible for such crimes, and serve as a reminder that the international community will not tolerate such atrocities.

In conclusion, the UN vote on establishing a Srebrenica genocide memorial day is a crucial step towards recognizing and remembering one of the darkest moments in human history. Despite opposition from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia, the proposal has gained widespread support among UN member states, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and learning from such atrocities to prevent them from happening again in the future. The outcome of the vote will be closely watched by communities affected by the genocide, and it is hoped that it will serve as a step towards justice, recognition, and healing for those affected.