On the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, CeMI, together with 75 NGOs from Montenegro, which advocated for Montenegro to co-sponsor the UN resolution on the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, pays tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, expresses solidarity with their families and survivors, and demands from the authorities of Montenegro:
- To declare a Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide and ensure its regular official observance in accordance with:
The UN Resolution on declaring July 11th as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide in 1995,
The Resolution of the Parliament of Montenegro on the Srebrenica Genocide from 2021, and
The Declaration of the Parliament of Montenegro on accepting the resolution of the European Parliament on Srebrenica from 2009;
- To supplement history textbooks for appropriate age groups with objective information about this crime and Montenegro's role in the wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s;
- To find and prosecute the unpunished perpetrators and accomplices of the Srebrenica genocide and other war crimes;
- To condemn and suppress the denial of genocide, the celebration of its perpetrators, and any other hate speech that represents the final phase of genocide and a prelude to new conflicts and crimes;
- To support programs for dealing with the past and promoting human rights, especially the prohibition of discrimination and suppression of all forms of hatred and intolerance in accordance with the Constitution of Montenegro,
- To make greater efforts in the reconciliation process in the region based on confronting the past and respecting the rights of the victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
We remind you that on July 11, 1995, in mass executions in the Srebrenica area, the Army of the Republika Srpska, led by Ratko Mladic, killed over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys. This is the most massive crime committed on European soil since World War II.
This crime was established by the judgments of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). National courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have also established that members of the Army of the Republika Srpska, as well as special units of the Republic of Serbia ("Scorpions"), committed genocide and other war crimes in Srebrenica in July 1995.
The ICTY and the International Residual Mechanism have convicted 21 individuals for crimes in Srebrenica, seven of whom were convicted of genocide based on over 1,500 testimonies and around 28,000 pieces of evidence. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 31 individuals have been finally convicted for the same acts, 14 of whom for genocide, in Serbia five, and in Croatia two. We emphasize that the question of whether genocide was committed is a legal, not a political category. In determining the responsibility for the genocide in Srebrenica, 46 judges from 34 countries participated in the ICTY's proceedings. In the ICJ's judgment, 15 judges from various countries participated.
Montenegro has so far adopted the Declaration on accepting the European Parliament's resolution (EP) on Srebrenica in 2009 and the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide in 2021, which most strongly condemned that genocide, voted for the UN resolution on the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, and dismissed its Minister of Justice, Human and Minority Rights, Vladimir Leposavić, due to the relativization of that genocide. These were all correct steps towards a safer future for our country and the region in the European Union.
On the other hand, the Montenegrin government includes pro-Serbian nationalist parties that, unfortunately, deny that genocide and use every opportunity to unjustifiably politicize it. We oppose the policy of "crime for crime," condemn the adoption of "counter-resolutions," and do not want new generations to grow up filled with hatred and a sense of provincial inferiority that conflicts with the world, starting with the closest neighbors.
We must all take responsibility for shaping a future where future generations will be spared new sufferings. The victims of crimes oblige us to advocate for justice, truth, and reconciliation, to actively create a society that respects every person, regardless of their national, religious, or ethnic affiliation.
Although there will always be those who refuse to accept unpleasant facts, the progress of every society requires looking the truth in the face and confronting the past.
Representatives of our organizations will join on July 11, at the Memorial Park for civilian victims, in Pobrežje, Podgorica, in commemorating the Day of Remembrance for Srebrenica organized by the Bosniak Council of Montenegro.
Signatories (in alphabetical order):
1. Action for Human Rights (HRA), Tea Gorjanc Prelevic
2. Active Zone, Milos Markovic
3. Agency for Local Democracy, Kerim Medjedovic
4. Anti-fascists of Cetinje, Filip Kuzman
5. Association Spektra, Jovan Ulicevic
6. Balkan Sector, Aner Salihovic
7. Bona fide, Pljevlja, Sabina Talovic
8. Bosniak Cultural Centre, Kemal Zoronjic
9. Centre for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA, Ervina Dabizinovic
10. Centre for Civic Education (CGO), Daliborka Uljarevic
11. Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Nevenka Vuksanovic
12. Centre for Democratic Transition (CDT), Milica Kovacevic
13. Centre for Women's Rights (CZP), Maja Raicevic
14. Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), Zlatko Vujovic
15. Centre for Civic Freedoms (CEGAS), Marija Popovic Kalezic
16. Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisations (CRNVO), Zorana Markovic
17. Centre for Multimedia Production (CEZAM), Blagota Marunovic
18. Centre for Affirmation of RE Population (CAREP), Nardi Ahmetovic
19. Centre for Training and Education, Aleksandra Radoman Kovacevic
20. Centre for Roma Initiatives, Fana Delija
21. Centre for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP), Jovana Janjusevic
22. Centre for Economic and European Studies (CEES), Nenad Vujosevic
23. Centre for Culture Bihor, Mirsad Rastoder
24. Montenegrin LGBTIQ Association Queer Montenegro, Stasa Bastrica
25. Montenegrin PEN Centre, Boban Batricevic
26. Montenegrin Women's Lobby, Aida Petrovic
27. Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights, Velija Muric
28. Eduko plus, Almedina Dodic
29. ERA – Alliance for Equal Rights of LGBTI Persons in the Western Balkans and Turkey, Danijel Kalezic
30. Children of Montenegro, Sabra Decevic
31. Society of Montenegrin Publishers, prof. dr Vladimir Vojinovic
32. Civic Initiative "21st May", Rade Bojovic
33. Civic Alliance, Milan Radovic
34. Husein Pasa, Emir Pilav
35. Husein Pasa – Pljevlja, Denijal Geljic
36. Ikre, Rozaje, Velida Hodzic
37. Institute for Media of Montenegro, Olivera Nikolic
38. Institute for Gender Equality “Dulcinea”, Ulcinj, Hatixha Gjoni
39. Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Edina Hasanaga Cobaj
40. Initiative for Regional Cooperation of Montenegro (Igman Initiative), Andro Martinovic
41. Ipso Facto, Milena Popovic Samardzic
42. Juventas, Ivana Vujovic
43. Korifej Theatre, Zoran Rakocevic
44. LINK - Montenegrin Network for Harm Reduction, Ranko Dacic
45. Monitoring Group Ulcinj – Mogul, Xhemal Peroviq
46. Bridge of Culture, Ivan Jokanovic
47. Our Action, Kotor
48. New Horizon, Ulcinj, Nazif Velic
49. Municipal Association of Multiple Sclerosis Bijelo Polje, Lidija Guberinic
50. Plan B, Alen Poljak
51. Polygon for Women's Excellence - Sofia, Rebeka Cilovic
52. Empty Space, Marija Backovic
53. Prima, Aida Perovic
54. First Women's Ecological Movement in Montenegro – Ecopatriotism, Ivana Coguric
55. Punta Institute, Ulcinj, Admir Gjoni
56. Development Vranj, Tuzi
57. Roma Youth Organisation “Walk with Us – Phiren Amenca”, Elvis Berisa
58. Alliance for Children and Youth "House", Pavic Radovic
59. Safe Women's House, Budislavka Mira Saveljic
60. System, Neda Radovic
61. SOS Telephone Rozaje, Raza Nurkovic
62. Heart, Dusan Rakocevic
63. Student Organisation Adamas
64. Association "Strpci – Against Oblivion", Demir Licina
65. Association of Lawyers of Montenegro, Branislav Radulovic
66. Association of History Professors HIPMONT, Milos Vukanovic
67. Association of LBTQ Women "Stana", Ana Dedivanovic
68. Association of Parents OAZA, Rasema Hekalo
69. Association "Legal Advocate", Budislav Budo Minic
70. Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro, Marina Vujacic
71. Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro, Svetlana Dragojevic
72. Association for Support of Roma and Egyptians, Berane, Sultan Beca
73. Ulcinj Info, Mustafa Canka
74. Forum MNE, Elvira Hadzibegovic
75. Forum of Bosniaks of Montenegro, Husein Ceno Tuzovic
76. 35mm, Darko Ivanovic