Remembering Srebrenica Bosnia Herzegovina Ethnicreligious groups in Bosnia

Remembering Srebrenica

Bosnia. Herzegovina

Ethnic/religious groups in Bosnia. Herzegovina

Identities in Bosnia. Herzegovina • Bosniaks - Muslim • Bosnian Croats - Catholic • Bosnian Serbs - Orthodox

Outbreak of War

“Ethnic Cleansing”

“Ethnic Cleansing” = Mass Rape and Mass Murder

Video – survivor testimony

Srebrenica: What happened? • On 11 July, in 1995, Bosnian Serb forces, led by General Ratko Mladić, systematically massacred 8, 372 men and boys. • It was the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. • These individuals are more than just a statistic; they were the fathers, husbands, sons and loved ones of those that were left behind.

Srebrenica: a genocide • The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) have both ruled that the mass execution constituted genocide. • In 2009, the European Parliament declared 11 July the official day of remembrance for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide across the EU.

How does genocide take place? Ten Stages of Genocide The Ten Stages of Genocide explore a possible timeline of genocide. Prejudice, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance do not inevitably lead to genocide nor is it likely that this will occur; however these behaviours diminish and degrade members of our community and may prevent them from taking and enjoying a full role in society. It is also sobering to reflect that every systematic genocide has been built on a failure to challenge these behaviours; failures which can become problematic in specific social conditions.

The stages 1. Classification 2. Symbolisation 3. Discrimination 4. Dehumanisation 5. Organisation 6. Polarisation 7. Preparation 8. Persecution 9. Extermination 10. Denial

Lessons for the UK • Keeping the memory alive through organising commemoration events which bring communities together to REMEMBER the victims of Srebrenica • Taking people on our ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ visits programme to LEARN the lessons from the genocide and set up projects to build safer, more cohesive communities • Creating champions who PLEDGE to stand up against hatred and intolerance in their communities

Get Involved Connect with us: • Become a Remembering Srebrenica Community Champion and volunteer to hold an Srebrenica Memorial Event every July • Become a Community Champion by making a Pledge to educate others about Srebrenica • Sign up for our newsletter • Follow us on Twitter - @Srebrenica. UK • Like us on Facebook and share our posts

Any questions? Please contact: info@srebrenica. org. uk Office: 0121 454 3343