The twentieth anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide is one of the most important events of the whole year of 2015. Specifically, it is about marking the biggest crime committed on European soil since the Second World War. This represents a strong incentive for the respect of universal values - the punishment of crime at every point of the planet, justice and dignity of the victims.
For the international community it is an opportunity to reconsider its enormous political and other accountability mechanisms for failing to prevent the genocide and in that light the proposal of British resolution of the UN Security Council should be considered. Unfortunately, the whole debate on the draft resolution has become a ground for geostrategic competition and political conflicts between major powers.
Procedures and attitudes of Serbian officials in connection with the Srebrenica genocide confirm the continuation of the policy of the 90s, that they did not renounce the nationalist goals of the Serbian regime or the project of Greater Serbia. The cynical and shameful reducing of the whole debate over a draft resolution on a business move, commercial arrangements, political trade, fully shows the true face of the current officials of the Serbian state and above all 'the triplet' (Vucic, Nikolic, Dacic), remove them their masks and confirms the saying 'Wolf changes the hair, but not a temper."
That's why this is opportunity to remind ourselves and ask:
- Why do you not fulfill international obligations with respect to genocide in Srebrenica? Why do you not follow the court facts? Why with the non recognition of genocide do you insult the dignity of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, but also the citizens of Serbia who are responsible? Do you know that you are compromising fragile relations in the entire region, especially relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- Do you know that the state of Serbia violated the UN Convention on Genocide? It did nothing to prevent the genocide in Srebrenica, despite the information that the authorities in Belgrade had. For the first time in the history of the International Court of Justice, as the highest court of the UN one country has been convicted of a violation of the Convention on preventing and punishing genocide. This is a huge burden. If in your work you intend to show that you have broken ties with the ideologists and perpetrators of genocide - you can do so clearly and you can publicly condemn the policies that led to the genocide. Unfortunately, all your actions point in the opposite direction.
- Did you know that Women in Black and similar organizations have been demanding that genocide recognized for ten years now? That July 11th should be declared as a day of commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide, and that genocide denial is qualified as a criminal offense? Why do you not say anything about that occasion and do you not respect (as the previous government did not do either) requests from civil society that could build peace in the region, based on solidarity and compassion with the victims?
- What were you doing on July 11, 1995? Why do you spread paranoia even by the word genocide? Do you wish to conceal personal, political and moral responsibility for your shameful past? Why do you hide behind 'the Serbian nation' when no one in the resolution mentions the Serbian people or Serbia? We know that you were not silent observers, but active participants in shameful policies of the '90s and not only the '90s ... Nothing can amnesty you for that, but seriously reviewing and taking responsibility for it would relieve a huge burden and stigma of crimes that you have brought upon us, the citizens, and that which we did not nor would ever have endorsed. However, we feel tremendous shame that you behave in this way towards the victims of genocide and other crimes committed in our name.
Tomislav Nikolic, the president of the Republic of Serbia, has decided not to go to Srebrenica, confirming absolute harmony of words and deeds. With that he has confirmed that he preferred the title of Chetnik duke before the interest of Serbia to normalize relations in the region. It would be cynical to go to Srebrenica: that would be the same as if some of senior Nazis went to Auschwitz.
If, however, other officials of the Serbian state, and especially Prime Minister A. Vucic decide to go to the commemoration ceremony in Srebrenica, it should be done quietly, without fanfare, without a wail to "sacrifice for the Serbian people," with no propaganda and marketing calculations, just to pay tribute to the victims of genocide.
This will show the changing relationship to the victims, to give their concrete contribution to the culture of memory, confidence and good neighborly relations in the region.
Belgrade
July 6th, 2015
