Srebrenica: peaceful coexistence through common commemoration

Lívia Járóka, EP Vice-President responsible for the Western Balkans, recently opened an exhibition in Brussels entitled “Remembering Srebrenica”. In her speech the Fidesz MEP recalled the mournful memory of the Srebrenica massacre.

During the Srebrenica genocide in July 1995, more than 8,300 Bosnians – mainly young men and boys – were killed in the region by the Serbian army in Bosnia, Járóka said. The genocide stands as one of the most tragic and disgraceful chapters in modern history. The town of Srebrenica was designated a “safe territory” under the protection of the UN, but ultimately, the soldiers of UNPROFOR could not prevent the bloodshed.

As the EPP politician said: “We have to educate the next generation to raise their voices for the protection of fundamental human values, always and under any circumstances. However, we should oppose discrimination and inhumanity against minorities not only with words but also through action.” It is vital, she stressed, that our children study real history and acquire a sense of solidarity and fraternity.

“I believe that common commemoration soothes the pain and will help reconcile the communities that have been violently torn apart,” Lívia Járóka said. “Our brothers and sisters in the Balkans have shown Europe how to find the path of peaceful coexistence, therefore their leaders must follow,” she concluded.