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Written by Jelena
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Tuesday, 13 July 2010 13:10 |
Members of NGO "Women in Black" attend a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, July 10, 2010, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995 to raise public awareness of the war crimes. (Xinhua/Beta) On the eve of the 15th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, "Women in Black" organized a protest in Belgrade on Saturday to raise public awareness of the war crimes that occurred in that Bosnian enclave in 1995. Approximately 30 activists held a banner in Belgrade's Republic Square, which read "Do not forget the genocide in Srebrenica, Solidarity and Responsibility." According to Zorica Trifunovic of the NGO "Women in Black", the goal of this activity, which they have organized since 1996, is to demonstrate that "we know what happened in Srebrenica."
During the bloody civil war that followed Bosnia and Herzegovina's secession from Yugoslavia, Srebrenica along with its surrounding villages was declared a UN safe haven, under Dutch protection. It was overrun by Bosnian Serb forces, who claimed that the safe havens were being used to launch attacks on their positions. The massacre of over 8,000 men and boys ensued followed the capitulation of Bosnian Muslim forces.
Trifunovic said that Serbia had made some progress by adopting a declaration that condemns the crimes committed in Srebrenica.
"Recognition of a crime is difficult matter and can take decades," Trifunovic said. "We are moving in that direction, but it is not simple."
Serbian President Boris Tadic will be one of the dignitaries at the commemoration, which in excess of 10,000 people are expected to attend on Sunday.
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Members of NGO "Women in Black" attend a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, July 10, 2010, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995 to raise public awareness of the war crimes. (Xinhua/Beta)