Bosnian Serb Leader Denies Srebrenica Genocide at Rally Opposing UN Resolution

Thousands of Bosnian Serbs rallied in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday to deny that genocide was committed in Srebrenica in 1995, despite rulings by two United Nations courts that more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were executed by Bosnian Serb troops in the eastern Bosnian enclave. The rally, organized by Bosnian Serb secessionist leader Milorad Dodik, was held to protest a draft UN resolution commemorating the Srebrenica genocide.

Dodik, the president of Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity, called the Srebrenica massacre a "mistake" and "huge crime" but not genocide. He threatened that if the UN adopts the resolution to declare July 11 an international day to remember the Srebrenica genocide, "you will have torn Bosnia and Herzegovina apart" and the Republika Srpska will leave. The Republika Srpska parliament had previously adopted a report stating that the killing of 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica did not constitute genocide, contravening the rulings of international courts.

The rally was attended by Serbia's state leadership, including the parliament speaker and outgoing prime minister, in support of Republika Srpska. Dodik expressed hope that a potential victory by former US President Donald Trump in the upcoming elections would create "different conditions" for Bosnian Serbs. He reiterated threats that Bosnian Serbs would split from the rest of Bosnia if the Srebrenica resolution is passed.

Why this matters: The denial of the Srebrenica genocide by Bosnian Serb leaders and the campaign against the UN resolution threaten to deepen ethnic divisions and political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The US Embassy in Sarajevo warned that genocide denial insults victims and threatens the country's stability, while reaffirming support for Bosnia's territorial integrity and rejection of any secession attempts.

The rally is part of ongoing disputes over the Srebrenica genocide, which has been recognized by various international tribunals. The US Embassy in Sarajevo condemned Dodik's remarks denying the genocide, stating that it "insults victims of all ethnicities and compounds the suffering of their families." The embassy also warned that the US is prepared to respond to Dodik's threats to pursue the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Key Takeaways

• Bosnian Serbs rally to deny Srebrenica genocide, despite UN court rulings.
• Bosnian Serb leader Dodik calls Srebrenica massacre a "mistake" and not genocide.
• Dodik threatens Republika Srpska will secede if UN resolution on Srebrenica is passed.
• Denial of Srebrenica genocide deepens ethnic divisions and political tensions in Bosnia.
• US Embassy condemns genocide denial, warns of response to Republika Srpska secession.