U.S. Sponsors UN Resolution Commemorating Srebrenica Genocide

The United States State Department has announced that it is proudly sponsoring a proposal for a United Nations resolution on the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The resolution, presented by Rwanda, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, aims to commemorate the historical truth and facts about the genocide that were confirmed by international courts, including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

The Srebrenica genocide, considered the worst crime in Europe since World War II, resulted in the deaths of nearly 9,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys at the hands of ethnic Serb forces in July 1995 during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia classified the massacre as genocide, and individuals such as Ratko Mladic were arrested and tried for their crimes.

The proposed resolution calls for July 11 to be marked as the "International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide Committed in Srebrenica in 1995" and condemns the denial of the genocide and the glorification of war criminals. The U.S. has supported previous resolutions recognizing genocide in other parts of the world and considers it important to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide due to the ongoing denial of the atrocity in the Western Balkans region.

Why this matters: The U.S. sponsorship of the UN resolution on the Srebrenica genocide signifies a continued commitment to remembering the victims and ensuring justice. The resolution aims to promote reconciliation in the region and prevent future manifestations of revisionism and genocide denial.

The move has been opposed by Milorad Dodik, the Russia-friendly leader of Bosnia Herzegovina's ethnic Serb entity Republika Srpska, who has threatened to withdraw from the decision-making process in Bosnia if the resolution is adopted. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has also expressed concerns about the resolution, citing the potential dangers it may bring to the region, the international legal order, and the UN itself.

Informal consultations on the draft resolution are being held at the UN headquarters in New York, with the resolution expected to be on the agenda in early May 2024. The U.S. State Department emphasizes that the resolution "is not directed against any specific state or ethnic group, but rather seeks to start the path of reconciliation in the region."

Key Takeaways

• US to sponsor UN resolution on 1995 Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia.
• Resolution aims to commemorate facts, prevent denial, and promote reconciliation.
• Srebrenica massacre killed nearly 9,000 Bosnian Muslims, classified as genocide.
• Resolution opposed by Bosnian Serb leader, Serbian president cites regional dangers.
• Consultations ongoing, resolution expected on UN agenda in early May 2024.