Bosnia, Jul 12: Bosnians commemorated on Saturday the massacre of about 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, marking the 25th anniversary of killings that shocked the world and have stood out as Europe's only atrocity since World War Two constituting genocide.
Nine newly identified victims were buried at a flower-shaped cemetery near the town, where tall white tombstones mark the graves of 6,643 other victims.
"After 25 years we succeeded in finding his mortal remains, so they can be laid to their final rest," said Fikret Pezic, who buried his father Hasan.
The remains of some 1,000 victims of the massacre in the eastern town during Bosnia's 1992-1995 war are still missing.
Ifeta Hasanovic decided to bury incomplete remains of her husband, saying: "We were aware they cannot be complete after 25 years, at least there are some, I did not want to make any new delays."
World leaders addressed the ceremony by video link, unable to attend because of coronavirus epidemic. Instead of the tens of thousands visitors who typically attend the commemoration each year, only a few thousand came after organisers banned organised visits.
During the Bosnian war, Bosnian Serb forces pushed non-Serbs out of territories they sought for their Serb statelet. Fleeing Muslims took shelter in several eastern towns, including Srebrenica, that were designated as United Nations "safe zones".
On July 11, 1995, the Serb forces commanded by General Ratko Mladic overran Srebrenica, which was protected by lightly armed Dutch peacekeepers.
They sent women and children away and captured and executed the men and boys they found. The bodies were dumped into mass graves and later exhumed by U.N. investigators and used as evidence in war crimes trials of Bosnian Serb leaders.
"We grieve with the families that tirelessly seek justice for the 8,000 innocent lives lost, all these years later," said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Washington brokered Bosnia's peace deal months after the massacre.
Most people at the commemoration were Muslim Bosniaks, reflecting conflicting narratives about the bloodshed - which hinders reconciliation nearly 25 years after the end of war in which about 100,000 people were killed.
The U.N. war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia convicted Mladic and his political chief Radovan Karadzic over Srebrenica genocide but they remained heroes for Serbs, many of whom deny that genocide happened.
On Saturday, the Serbs in the nearby town of Bratunac organised an event marking July 11 as the "Srebrenica Liberation Day".
Sefik Dzaferovic, the Bosniak chairman of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, called for legislation that would ban denial of genocide.
"There can be no trust as long as we witness attacks on the truth, denial of genocide and glorification and celebration of executors," Dzaferovic told the commemoration gathering.
Comments
Bajrang Dal still exist in Mangalore because majority of followers are monkeys. They just goes with stupid and illiterate people without questioning their background. Most of Bajrang Dal leader either ex-ladies bar owner or conductors.(uneducated or criminals).
Monkey Dal gathered together to discuss their own created issues. They have nothing to discuss other than children's plays.
It's funny how these activists say a lie so many times and make it appear like the truth..I'm ashamed to call them hindus..because I have amazing Hindu friends (whom I believe are true hindus). Love jihad? What rubbish!this shows how much you cook up stories. Dont waste money on unnecessary programmes. Donate it to poors..so many are in need of money. Btw don't think muslim men are jobless. there are enough pious muslim girls in our country whom they can get married to. We are not in shortage.
Also need a discussion regarding hiring muslims in all job sectors across karnataka
Tigale gant marilu....bhoomig bhara
Mangalore was peaceful for quite sometime.....now again goons became jobless I hope.... smart city ... developments all gaya bhaad me...
Gaaf me dhum hai to try to stop your girls or punish them...your.people will throw you in garbage.....try that way.....
Discuss right now LOVE JIHAD founder is sitting in front of you (CHOTE MIA)I dont remember his name sitting on your extreme left. Why to spend Money start now itself.
Fake People.
I could not understand why these waste and burden to earth... hate mongers are talking on love jihad time and again whereas such issue does not exist in reality, but exists only in the mind and agenda of sangh parivar. This is to fool people and gain political benefit. Love Jihad is not a concept in any religion, particularly in Muslims and this is a fake + man made concept by sangh parivar. We, the peace loving people of karnataka should oppose and raise against these hate mongers.
After a long period of rest, culprits are back to trouble. Peace loving Mangalorean be careful and be happy with your family.
Indians in india cant eat beef but indian beef can be eaten in other parts of the world....what a joke....
Bajrangies go and stop exporting if you have got ba**s....
Jihad means a spiritual struggle within oneself against Sin.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh. taught us...
Alcohol destroys U and your family life
Gambling destroys U and your family life
Interest destroys U and your family (It may give a temporary enjoyment of the money lend to U by banks but in long term when U see most of the people have become BANKRUPT...
(Look Mallya - Whatever he owns did not benefit him...one day U will c the real color).
Quran says Trade is acceptable but not Riba (Interest).
True Muslims strive hard NOT TO involve in such evils of the society & They strive to stay away from these sins and also other such things in life...
God promises to give more when we follow his commandments ... it is not just for muslims but it should be recognized by the whole of mankind..
Most of the People are just listening to the ISLAM-HATERS and judging without verifying. But the CREATOR of all that exists asks us to use our INTELLECT and Verify before You come to any conclusion of any matter in your LIFE... if not YOU will be regretting later...
Love Jihad is fake and a creation of cheddi and its allies..who wants to spread corruption in the society.
Wonderful decision by wonderful lads of Bajji and Ranjjis, what you mean of \Cow Trafficking\" at present I am in HONG KONG really fantastic INDIAN BEEF Avails here, no problem at all, so these wonderful Tidy Bear??? Master Hamarappa Puranik only Barking, If he IS having GuTs, Strength let him ask Indian Prime minister Modianna, to Cancel Exporting Licence that is the Gentleman's work Keeping some Chelas around catching Labour, Driver, Butcher, Cleaner like humans.. they are catching and punishing that's women's work Annanna, come front line and catch real culprits.
NAREAN Bai where are you Sir?? Are you Near by !!!!! Keep it up Baisabb."
1) U have forgotten most important issue..... ban exporting of beef and find out how many of your goons are into this business....
2) At the right age with out if girls are married off, issues of love marriage maybe solved
3) drugs ok.....go ahead, nice step
For such matters press meet is not necessary, can be discussed within yourself
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