We are writing to you as youth activists from the organization Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) from Serbia, but first and foremost as young people concerned with the future of Serbia and the Western Balkans, to express our support for the draft UN General Assembly Resolution regarding the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica and provide an explanation as to why this Resolution is important for the future of our country.
Democracy in our country is backsliding in the past few years while many respectable organizations have been describing it as a hybrid regime. Young people who dare to speak out critically about the government’s policy are exposed to smear hate campaigns and SLAPPs and are targeted by public officials. However, we have made the choice not to stay silent while our peaceful future, which we surely deserve, is being jeopardized. Behalf of many young people in Serbia and citizens who are deeply afraid to speak due to the climate that has been created in our society which was incited by an irresponsible campaign towards the Srebrenica resolution led by the highest Serbian state official, we feel that it is our human duty to say: Not in our name.
Despite the widespread disinformation and misuse of the resolution on the Srebrenica genocide in Serbia’s public sphere, we view it as a crucial step in the process of dealing with the past. Acknowledgment of mass atrocities plays a vital role in establishing prevention mechanisms and should be seen as a foundation for building a better future in post-conflict societies. We are witnessing the exact opposite; there have been numerous occasions when state officials persistently deny legally-established facts about the genocide in Srebrenica, inciting hate and opening the wounds that need to be healed.
Over the last five years, a large and organized campaign has been underway in Serbia, involving the painting of walls, public institutions, and buildings in nearly every city with the name and face of Ratko Mladić. Mladić led the Army of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian war and was convicted for crimes against humanity in several municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including genocide in and around Srebrenica. Although we have informed local authorities, no action has been undertaken to remove these depictions. The authorities have remained silent, while some of the most prominent public officials have openly stated that they see nothing wrong with this.
Furthermore, we want to highlight a significant case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the Srebrenica genocide. The ICJ’s verdict in 2007 held Serbia responsible for violating the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide by failing to prevent genocide. We believe that the UN Resolution of the General Assembly regarding the genocide in Srebrenica is important because it will not only lead to recognition for victims and pay respect to them, it will also be beneficial for Serbian society as it will serve as a good starting point for a societal dialogue about the responsibility of the Republic of Serbia for genocide, as well as providing a dignified place for victims in the public sphere.
Mr. President,
We urge Your Excellency not to allow the denial of legally established facts about the Srebrenica genocide and the misuse of victims for political gains at the respective UN General Assembly session where the topic will be the Resolution on the Srebrenica genocide. We hope that the adopted text of the Resolution will initiate a much-needed dialogue in our society and create an environment where victims of genocide can find a place of respect and dignity in the public discourse of Serbia. YIHR stands firmly in support of the Resolution as a guarantee for peace.
Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Full text of the letter you can read here.
