Statement of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada regarding Statement of the Foreign Minister of Canada Lawrence Cannon

Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada
Published: July 11, 2010  

Congress of the North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada believe that the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada  is a last minute attempt to stave off the embarrassment and shame that the Prime Minister blocked an agreement to pass a motion in the House of Commons, which is the only officially sanctioned forum where “Canada” acts as a country.

Even though the Foreign Minister is quoted in a government statement acknowledging the Srebrenica genocide and the war crimes, it has to be evenly more strongly condemned that his own Prime Minister blocked what he is issuing the in the statement being passed in the House of Commons. Since passing a motion in the House of Commons is the only thing that has historic, moral, legislative, and legal meaning. The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada will continue to campaign until the Motion, M - 416 and the Bill, C – 533 not be passed in parliament.

The government/the Minister is feeling the pressure from the Canadian – Bosniak Community’s effective lobbying, emailing and letter campaign. This is the result of all the hard work everyone has put in from across a segments of the Bosniaks entire Bosniak Community. Good work. But the struggle continues until the motion and bill are passed in the House of Commons.

Emir Ramic

Congress of North American Bosniaks, Branch Canada

Institute for Research of Genocide Canada

FOREIGN MINISTER LAWRENCE CANNON: CANADA COMMEMORATES 15th ANNIVERSARY OF SREBRENICA GENOCIDE

Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada

Published: July 10, 2021

UNITED NATIONS – Canada’s Foreign Minister, The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, issued the following statement today commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre:

“Fifteen years ago, in Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than 7,000 Bosniak men and boys were executed and over 25,000 Bosniaks were forced from their homes by Bosnian Serb forces. This tragic event was the worst crime of its kind to be committed in Europe since the Second World War. Both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia determined it to be genocide.

“On this solemn occasion, I wish to extend my condolences on behalf of the Government of Canada to the survivors of this atrocity, as well as to all of those whose loved ones lost their lives or remain missing.

“Canada condemns all forms of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and is a vigorous defender of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada fully supports the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the judicial bodies in the region in prosecuting all those who committed such crimes. We continue to work in cooperation with other states and international institutions to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. We hope to see offenders brought to justice, in particular fugitive Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb leader who oversaw the Srebrenica massacre.

“Today, 15 years later, there are encouraging signs of reconciliation within the former Yugoslavia and within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canada encourages all leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work toward further reconciliation, promoting the interests of all Bosnian citizens and ensuring the country remains on its path to integrate into Euro-Atlantic institutions.”