Canadian Bosniaks do not accept Motion M – 416 without the inclusion of the term “genocide”

Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada
Published: September 15, 2010  

Canadian Bosniaks do not accept Motion M – 416 without the inclusion of the term “genocide”

Motion M 416 is about the crime of genocide against Bosniaks at Srebrenica.

Genocide was committed in Srebrenica in July of 1995 by Serbian and Bosnian Serb forces. The judgments of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia attested to this fact.
In the name of more than 50,000 Canadian Bosniaks, most of whom are victims of genocide, The Congress of North American Bosniaks, and the Canadian Branch and Institute for Research Genocide Canada, sent a loud and clear message to you, the Canadian Government and to the Canadian Parliament: that the Canadian Bosniak community will not accept any Parliamentary Motion on Srebrenica without the use of proper terminology – i.e., the term ‘genocide’. A lack of inclusion of the term ‘genocide’ is nothing short of a major insult to human intelligence and to the human dignity of all victims and the survivors of genocide.

On February 26, 2007, The International Court of Justice, in The Hague, The Netherlands, which is the highest judicial body of the United Nations Organization, returned a verdict in which it declared that ‘genocide’ had in fact been committed against Bosniaks, and specifically against the Bosniak inhabitants of Srebrenica. The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Krstic judgment also declared that “genocide” was committed against Bosniaks.

As a member of the international community of nations, Canada has a legal obligation to support the International Court of Justice, accept its rulings and enforce them.

Further, since the exhumation of remains of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide is still in progress, as it is a laborious task, the government of Canada’s version of “7,000 victims” is inaccurate since the count, up until today, surpasses 8,000.

Therefore, Canada should demonstrate that they are in step with respect to the most decisive judicial rulings, or resolutions of its historical allies, the United States of America and the European Union, who have recently voted with respect to genocide committed against Bosniaks, and specifically against Bosniaks of Srebrenica.
As a sovereign parliamentary monarchy, Canada has the right and duty to adhere to international law and in doing so recognize the facts that have been documented, duly processed and properly judged.
The original version of Motion M – 416 has the support of many members of the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party of Canada, the Blok Quebecois, the Green Party of Canada, the Islamic Congress of Canada, the Jewish Congress of Canada, and many organizations for protection of human rights and freedoms, as well as the Institute for Research on Crimes of Genocide.
The government’s revised version of Motion M-416 is unacceptable to those who believe in the truth. The government’s revised version removes or misrepresents a number crucial facts and aspects of the Motion:
(1) the number of more than 8,000 murdered has been reduced to 7,000;
(2) the Bosnia & Herzegovina Tribute Week has been removed;
(3) Reference to ‘Serbian forces’ has been replaced with ‘Bosnian Serb’ which is contrary to proven facts, from the ICJ ruling against Serbia/Montenegro to corpus delicti at the ICTY – having Serbia’s documents that contain a statement given by Slobodan Milosevic (which reads): “We control over 72 percent of territory in B&H” (“to many others” this is not understood – does it mean ‘and’ many others?);
(4) ‘Bosniak civilians’ has been replaced with “Bosnian civilians”. However, our national name – according the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina- is “Bosniak”;
(5) Reference to the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War has been removed.
This is a collective response from the Canadian – Bosniak Community, supported by:
The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch,
The Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada,
The Islamic Congress of Canada,
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks Canada
The most prominent experts in the field of International law
Prominent Canadian Experts, Professors
Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosniaks in Canada
With respect,
Professor Emir Ramic
President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks – Canadian Branch & President of the Institute for the Research of Genocide – Canada
*****
Additional Statements of Support for the original version of Motion M-416

Support by The Congress of North American Bosniaks
April 11, 2022
Language of the Motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11” Re: Language of the Motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”
To Whom It May Concern:
The Congress of North American Bosniaks (CNAB), representing more than 350,000 Bosniaks, including more than 50,000 Canadian Bosniaks, reiterates its full support for the Hon. Brian Masse’s motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11″:
That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day and the week of July 11 as Bosnia and Herzegovina Tribute week in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
The current version of the motion being considered by the Canadian Parliament has several serious omissions which compromise the validity and purpose of the motion:
“That, in the opinion of the House, the government shall declare the day of July 11th as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in memorial of the Srebrenica massacre of July 1995, in which more than 7,000 Bosnian civilians were executed and 25,000 others expelled from their homes by Bosnian Serb forces under a policy of ethnic cleansing.”
CNAB respectfully points out several serious omissions in the motion above:
a) There were more than 8,000 lives lost in Srebrenica in July of 1995. These figures were confirmed by local authorities as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the U.S. House Resolution 199.
b) Bosnia & Herzegovina Tribute week is missing. It is important that we pay respect to all the victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and celebrate Bosnian statehood.
c) Current motion replaces ‘Serbian forces’ with ‘Bosnian Serb’ which is contrary to proven facts, from the ICJ ruling against Serbia/Montenegro to corpus delicti at the ICTY – having Serbia’s documents that contain a statement given by Slobodan Milosevic (which reads): “We control over 72 percent of territory in B&H” (“to many others” this is not understood – does it mean ‘and’ many others?). It is imperative that we recognize the active involvement of Serbian troops in the genocide.
d) An error in description of ‘Bosniak civilians’ as “Bosnian civilians”. The victims of the Srebrenica genocide were ethnic Bosniaks , a constitutionally recognized ethnicity, whereas Bosnian signifies only a regional affiliation to Bosnia.
e) Removes the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War. It is a well known fact that the systemic murder of more than 8,000 Bosniaks in a short period of time was the worst atrocity since the Second World War and should be recognized as such.
Furthermore, CNAB strongly urges the Parliament to use the term genocide instead of massacre wherever possible. The use of the term genocide is consistent with the ICTY’s ruling on Srebrenica in several war crimes cases as well as the case of Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Serbia and Montenegro where it has been clearly classified as a genocide as described under the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG)
For any further information, please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully,
Mr. Haris Alibasic, MPA
President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks
Support by The Bosnian – American Genocide Institute and Education Centre
April 10, 2022
Language of the Motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”

This is the Bosnian – American Genocide Institute and Education Centre statement in regard to the Motion(s) on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”  Hon. Brian Masse’s Motion:
That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day and the week of July 11 as Bosnia and Herzegovina Tribute week in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
The Bosnian – American Genocide Institute and Education Centre agrees with this motion in full and endorses it!
For any further information, please contact the undersigned.
Respectfully,
Mr. Sanja Drnovsek
President of the the Bosnian – American Genocide Institute and Education Centre
Support by The Canadian Islamic Congress
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
April 1, 2022
Language of the Motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”

This is the Canadian Islamic Congress statement in regard to the Motion(s) on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”
Hon. Brian Masse’s Motion:
1. That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day and the week of July 11 as Bosnia and Herzegovina Tribute week in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
Canadian Islamic Congress agrees with this motion in full and endorses it!
Canada’s Government’s version of the Motion:
2.”That, in the opinion of the House, the government shall declare the day of July 11th as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in memorial of the Srebrenica massacre of July 1995, in which more than 7,000 Bosnian civilians were executed and 25,000 others expelled from their homes by Bosnian Serb forces under a policy of ethnic cleansing.”
Canadian Islamic Congress sees several serious omissions in the Motion by the Government:
a) The Srebrenica massacre – should read the Srebrenica genocide. CIC holds that the Government version will be acceptable if the term “genocide” is included into the motion since what has happened to people of Srebrenica cannot be called anything else but genocide, therefore, Canadian government should call it what it is — GENOCIDE. This tragedy has been declared an “act of genocide” by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (IVTY) as well.
Following countries already declared the Srebrenica tragedy as an “Act of Genocide”:
* European Parliament resolution of 15 January 2022 on Srebrenica
C. whereas this tragedy, declared an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), took place in a UN-proclaimed safe haven, and therefore stands as a symbol of the impotence of the international community to intervene in the conflict and protect the civilian population (p. 2 of 2)
* The Senate of the United States, May 9, 2021
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that—
(1) the thousands of innocent people murdered at Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 1995, along with all individuals who were victimized during the conflict and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995, should be solemnly remembered and honored; (p. 3 of 4).
(2) the policies of aggression and ethnic cleansing as implemented by Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 meet the terms defining the crime of genocide in Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, done at Paris December 9, 1948, entered into force January 12, 1951;
b) 7,000 Bosnian civilians were executed and 25,000 others expelled — should read 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed…30,000 others expelled… The evidence well grounded suggeste that more than 8,000 Bosniaks were executed in Srebrenica.
For any further information, please contact the undersigned.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Wahida Valiante
National President
Canadian Islamic Congress

Support by The Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
April 10, 2022
Language of the Motion on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”

This is the The Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University statement in regard to the Motion(s) on “Srebrenica Remembrance Day, July 11”
Hon. Brian Masse’s Motion:
That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day and the week of July 11 as Bosnia and Herzegovina Tribute week in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, the worst act of genocide in Europe since the Second World War, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
The Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University agrees with this motion in full and endorses it!
For any further information, please contact the undersigned.
Respectfully,
Prof. Dr. Smail Cekic
D i r e c t o r
Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University

World Intellectuals Urge Canadian Parliament to Adopt Srebrenica Genocide Motion (M-416)
We, Members of the International Team of Experts of the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada express support for Motion M – 416 on Genocide in Srebrenica. On August 29, 2009, MP Brian Masse introduced the Motion that was sponsored by Mr. Brian Masse, MP, and seconded by Mr. Bill Siksay, MP, and Ms. Chris Charlton, MP. The Motion has support from the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Blok Quebecois, Green Party of Canada, the Islamic and Jewish Congress of Canada, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, the Congress of North American Bosniaks and many organizations for the protection of human rights and freedom in Canada and in the world.
With Motion-146, the Canadian Parliament and Government are observing the 15th anniversary of the genocide committed in the Bosnian city of Srebrenica in July 1995, and expressing support for the designation of “Srebrenica Remembrance Day” in Canada.
In addition, the undersigned:
1. Solemnly observe the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide,
2. Support the designation of “Srebrenica Remembrance Day” in Canada,
3. Commend the official bodies that have recognized the Srebrenica genocide, including the European Parliament, and the American Congress and Senate, which declared a Srebrenica Remembrance Day in the European Union and America,
4. Honor the memory of the thousands of innocent people who died at Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 1995, along with all individuals who were killed during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995,
5. Extend condolences to the families and friends of those who died at Srebrenica in July 1995, and during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995;
6. Reaffirm support for the independence and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, peace and stability in southeastern Europe as a whole, and the right of all people living in the region, regardless of national, racial, ethnic or religious background, to return to their homes and enjoy the benefits of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic opportunity, as well as to know the fate of missing relatives and friends.
We ask that the Canadian Government pass (proclaim) motion M-416 as originally introduced by Mr. Brian Masse. We ask that it be passed in the latest negotiated version and that Srebrenica Remembrance Day be proclaimed as soon as possible.
It is our hope that Canada will stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality.
We are anxiously awaiting your response.
International Team of Experts of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada:
Professor Elie Wiesel, political activist, Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor
M. Cherif Bassiouni, Distinguished Research Professor of Law Emeritus, President Emeritus International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University, Chicago Illinois USA; President, International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences, Siracusa, Italy.
Prof. Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, former High Representative for the B&H
Professor Linda Melvern, investigative journalist and author
Mark Hanis, President of the Genocide Intervention Network
Francis Anthony Boyle, PhD, Professor of international law at the University of Illinois.
Tilman Zülch, Society for Threatened Peoples International , President, Göttingen, Germany
Greg Stanton, Chair, International Campaign to End Genocide
Carole Hodge, MA, LLM, PhD, Post Genocide Education Foundation
Payam Akhavan, PhD, – Professor of International Law at McGill University in Montreal, a former UN war crimes prosecutor at The Hague and co-founder of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre.
Safia Soliman, PhD Professor, Gloucester, UK.
Florence Hartmann, French journalist and author
Esad Durakovic, PhD, Professor, University of Sarajevo and Member Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Department of humanities.
David Pettigrew, PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Southern Connecticut State University, USA.
Bakhtyar Aljaf, Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zijad Becirovic, M.Sc., Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Dennis Gratz, Dr. Phil .Lecturer on “Genocide and Genocidal Atrocities in Theory and International Law” at the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies of the University of Sarajevo (CIPS) – ERMA program.
Maja Kasa, Professor, Osijek, Croatia.
Patrick McCarthy, Advisor to the current exhibit on genocide in Prijedor and co-authored a book about the Srebrenica genocide.
Marko Attila Hoare, PhD, Kingston University, London – a world renowned British historian of the Former Yugoslavia, UK.
Daniel Toljaga, Board of Directors at the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Vancouver, Canada.
Amir Ahmic, Bosniak liaison officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at the Hague, Netherlands.
Sakib Softic, PhD, Professor of Law, University of Sarajevo, former B&H agent in the dispute (Bosnia v Serbia) before the ICJ.
Nader Hashemi, Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics Josef Korbel School of International Studies; University of Denver CO, USA.
Sahza Hatibovic Kofman, D.D.S., M.D.Sc., PhD., FRCD(C) Associate Professor & Chair, University of Western Ontario, Canada.
Mirza Trokic, PhD, Department of Economics McGill University, Montreal QC Canada; University of Denver CO, USA.
Smail Cekic, PhD, Professor of History at the University Sarajevo and head of the Institute for the Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law.
Emir Zlatar, Mr, Director of Television Sarajevo.
Zijad Delic, PhD, head of the Islamic Congress Canada.
Senadin Lavic, PhD Professor, University, Sarajevo
Suad Arnautovic, PhD, Professor, University, Sarajevo
Ibrakovic Dzelal, PhD, Proffesor, University, Sarajevo
Dzemaludin Latic, PhD, Professor, University Sarajevo, B&H.
Sacir Filandra, PhD, Professor, University Sarajevo, B&H.
Lejla Panjeta, PhD, Professor, University of Sarajevo, B&H.
Alija Suljic, PhD, Professor, University of Tuzla, B&H.
Ferid Muhic, Professor, University “Sts.Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Sefket Krcic, PhD., Professor, International University in Novi Pazar (Sanjak), President of Matica Bosniaks of Sanjak
Fatmir Alispahic, Mr. Sci., Tuzla, B&H.
Ante Milinovic, Mr. Sci. Zagreb, Croatia.
Goran Kapetanovic, Toronto, Canada.
Aldina Muslija, University of Toronto, Canada.
Zeljko Milicevic, President and Chairman, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa
Eno Causevic, Hamilton, Canada.
Emina Gadzo, University of Toronto, Department of Political Science.
Mersiha Gadzo, University of Toronto, Department of Political Science.
Sanja Seferovic Drnovsek, Director of the Bosnian-American Genocide Institute and Education Center
Emir Ramic, Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada

Statements by prominent experts in international law, humanist and statesman regarding to the Conservative Party of Canada refuses to allow an all-party Motion M – 416 on the Srebrenica genocide in Canadian Parliament

The Conservative Party of Canada refuse to allow an all-party Motion M – 416 on the Srebrenica genocide in Canadian Parliament. Mr. Brian Masse, Member of the Canadian Parliament, had worked on that motion together with the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada very diligently reached agreement with the NDP, the BQ and the Liberal Party. We had hoped to have Conservative Party agreement (and we are led to believe that Foreign Affairs Minister was in agreement with it) but the Prime Minister’s Office ultimately declined to give all-party agreement.
Mr. Robert Oliphant, Member of the Canadian Parliament tabled a Private Member Bill C – 533 on the same topic.
The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada hope that it will both stimulate discussion and ultimately lead to a Canadian recognition of this painful genocide.
The three different international courts ruling and determining the genocide took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992-1995: the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights.
Canadian government has yet to pass a resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide as many other countries – including the United States and members of the European Union – already did. The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada strongly believe that this horrific violation of human rights needs to be recognized and remembered as genocide in Canada so as to decrease the chances of a similar war crimes occurring elsewhere in the world.
Statements:
Brian Masse, Member of the Canadian Parliament and sponsor Resolution M – 416 about the genocide in Srebrenica
“It is with great regret to inform that the Motion M – 416 was not brought forward. Minister of Foreign affairs of Canada Mr. Lawrence Cannon and the Canadian Government have ensured Canada will not a motion in time for the 15th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. Be assured that although we did not get our objective it has been a worthwhile campaign. Although this is a sad day, we are not voiceless. Thanks for all the hard work, we will put out a more formal email later. M-416 is still to be voted on in the House of Commons. What was under consideration was a unanimous consent of the motion, that the Prime Minister vetoed. The actual vote still has to be scheduled to take place in the House of Commons in the upcoming sessions.
I am not going to Bosnia for the memorial events since the motion did not pass yet and it would be unacceptable to have to explain Canada’s embarrassment to the world during this important time of remembrance. Both Brian and I would like to go to Bosnia at another time”.
Robert Oliphant, Member of the Canadian Parliament and sponsor Bill C – 533 - Srebrenica Remembrance Day Act
“It is never too late to start officially remembering the horrendous atrocities that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995. Following in the steps of the European Parliament and the U.S. Senate, I believe it is fitting to commemorate the lives of the thousands of men, women, and children who were killed in this terrible massacre. Understanding the importance of a Srebrenica Remembrance Day to Canada, and especially to its Bosniak community, I support this motion. I would like to thank you again for bringing this issue to my attention. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
I am pleased this morning to introduce a bill that seeks to establish a national Srebrenica remembrance day to be held every July 11. I thank my colleague the hon. member for Vancouver East for seconding the bill. In July 1995, an estimated 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were massacred in the Srebrenica region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a UN declared safe area by Bosnian Serb forces. This was the largest mass murder in Europe since World War II. Both the appeals chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice ruled that the Srebrenica massacre was genocide. In addition, resolutions condemning the massacre have been passed by the European Parliament and the American House of Representatives and Senate.This past March, the president of Serbia issued a full state apology and endorsed the ruling of the International Court of Justice. Recognizing the devastating effects of the July 1995 Srebrenica genocide, this bill would provide the opportunity for all Canadians to stand with those in the Bosnian Canadian community to share in their pain and honour the memory of those men and boys massacred.As we approach the 15th anniversary of this massacre, I hope this bill will serve as a step in the right direction which will ultimately provide some semblance of comfort to the survivors of this genocide and to the Bosnian community here in Canada. May the memory of those lost never be forgotten”.

Francine Lalonde, Member of the Canadian Parliament, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for Bloc Québécois
“The Bloc Québécois recognizes the importance both for Quebec, Canada, for the international community to commemorate the horrific and tragic events in Srebrenica in July 1995. Nearly 8,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed there summarily executed by members of the Bosnian Serb militias and paramilitary units. Many violations of the Geneva Conventions were perpetrated there, particularly the deportation of thousands of women, children and elderly persons and the rape of many women. Any process of healing and reconciliation begins first and foremost duty of memory. The international community has a responsibility to learn from these events, described as “genocide” by the International Court of Justice in order to prevent their recurrence and to enable to realize the necessary national reconciliation Bosnia-Herzegovina. That is why the Bloc Québécois supports the establishment of a Day of Remembrance events in Srebrenica. More than 60 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, ratified by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 9 and December 10, 1948, the international community must continue to ensure that full light be shed on the events in Srebrenica. This review atrocities committed during the conflicts in former Yugoslavia is still not completed but it is essential to any lasting peace in the region and essential for the establishment of a genuine process of justice. Please be assured that the Bloc Québécois will continue to monitor this issue and seek to ensure that the Harper government contributes to ongoing efforts by the international community for stability, peace and lasting reconciliation in this region the heavy past”.
Marlene Jennings, Member of the Canadian Parliament
“ Without hesitation, we Liberals have labelled these massacres as genocides because. For racial, ethnic, religious or political reasons, certain countries sought to annihilate these populations in violation of their right to live. Canadians lost family members in these genocides. It is our responsibility to recognize the memory of these victims as well reflects on the senselessness of these sadistic atrocities. Canada must serve as an example to the world that all peoples, regardless of their colour, ethnicity, or religion can live with dignity and respect. Under previous Liberal governments, Canada was able to establish itself as a respected leader in the protection of human rights internationally and let me reassure you that the Liberal Party of Canada stands committed to protecting humans rights worldwide. In this spirit, let me reiterate you my support for this initiative to have Canada recognize and declare July 11th, Srebrenica Remembrance Day”.
Hon. Bob Rae, Member of the Canadian Parliament
“It is never too late to start officially remembering the awful atrocities that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995. Understanding the importance of such a remembrance day to Canada, and especially its Bosniak community, I will be happy to support the motion in Parliament. I would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention”.
Christian Schwarz-Schilling
“Thank you so much for sending me the press release on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s rejection of the crime of genocide in Srebrenica. I am equally appalled by the Prime Minister’s stand and blindness on this issue. I fully support the content of the press release by the congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch, the Institute for Research of Genocide”.
Professor Mark Attila Hoare
‘Prime Minister Harper’s veto of the Canadian parliament’s Srebrenica resolution is disgraceful, given Canada’s ignominious role in the Bosnian war, but ultimately, a genocide is not proven or disproven by the resolutions of politicians or parliaments. The fact that genocide occurred at Srebrenica in 1995 has been established by two international courts – the ICJ and the ICTY. Whether or not particular politicians or parliaments recognise the genocide makes no difference to this reality.’
Professor Francis A. Boyle, Attorney for the Mothers of Srebrenica and Podrinja
“Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has now become an Accessory After the Fact to the International Crime of Genocide at Srebrenica despite the fact that Canada is a contracting party to the 1948 Genocide Convention. So much for the promise “Never Again!” in Canada”.
David Pettigrew, PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Southern Connecticut State University, USA.
“MP Brian Masse (Windsor-West), reports that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has stated that he will not support any resolution commemorating Srebrenica if the resolution includes the term “genocide”. If this is indeed the case, then we must raise the following protestation. The murder of more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians at Srebrenica in July 1995 has in fact been deemed “genocide” by two international courts: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and The International Court of Justice. Moreover, among the perpetrators of the heinous acts at Srebrenica, there have been two convictions for genocide and two convictions for “aiding and abetting” genocide. Hence, it is patently clear that one cannot speak of the tragedy known as Srebrenica without also speaking of genocide. Indeed, in its recent June 10, 2021 judgment in the case of Popović et al., the ICTY stated that “The scale and nature of the murder operation, with the staggering number of killings, the systematic and organised manner in which it was carried out, the targeting and relentless pursuit of the victims, and the plain intention—apparent from the evidence—to eliminate every Bosnian Muslim male who was captured or surrendered proves beyond reasonable doubt that this was genocide.” (our emphasis) We trust, therefore, that the right honourable Mr. Stephen Joseph Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, will be sensitive to the fact that those who were the very victims of the eliminationist goals of the leadership of Republika Srpska, as well as of its military staff, would be troubled to know that a leader of a developed democratic country, in which truth and justice are ideals held by all, and in which the rule of law is respected, would not publically recognize the documented crime of genocide that had been directed against their persons, their communities, their culture, and indeed their historical existence and memory as such. Further, we trust that the right honourable Mr. Stephen Joseph Harper, Prime Minister of Canada will concur that the indispensable act on the path to justice and reconciliation in post-conflict, post genocide societies, such as Bosnia, is to responsibly recognize the crime of genocide. Not to do so, would be to be in league with those who engage in genocide denial, including the current Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Mr. Milorad Dodik. A majority of members comprising the spectrum of political parties represented in the Parliament of Canada, have pledged their support for a motion recognizing the 11th of July as the day of remembrance of the victims of genocide in Srebrenica. The Honourable Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs has also recommended adoption of the motion. As we approach the 15th anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica, an anniversary that will see the burial of some eight hundred victims whose bodies have been reclaimed through the painstaking process of exhumation from mass graves, we beseech the right honourable Mr. Stephen Joseph Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, to reconsider his position with respect to Motion 146 declaring July 11th Srebrenica Remembrance Day”.
Nader Hashemi, Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics Josef Korbel School of International Studies; University of Denver CO, USA
“Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a politician. His primary loyalty is to his own career. If he feels he has the support of powerful interest groups that will advance his personal agenda and that of his political party he will support anything. Note his outrageous position on the Israel-Palestine conflict where often he sounds more hawkish than Netanyahu. In my view this position, is drive by political calculations rooted in who has political clout and power in Canadian society. Nothing more”.
Safia Soliman, Community Development Consultant , UK
“Since the cessation of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, instigated by the signing of the Dayton Accords:
a) it has been a well documented and publicized fact that the systematic crimes of genocide WERE carried out against Bosniaks / Bosnians / Herzegovinians between 1992 and 1995;
b) some of those who perpetrated the genocidal ‘crimes against humanity’ in BiH were actually tried very publicly and found guilty in the Hague;
c) the excavation of some of the many ‘mass graves’ in the region containing Bosniaks remains, (by appropriate expert members of the International Community), were also well documented and publicized;
d) large numbers of young people who were born as a result of rape are the living proof of that particular crime, and will bear the scars of their heritage – possibly for their lifetime (they will also carry DNA of therapists who sired them as well as their mothers’);
e) the recognition of a ‘Remembrance Day’ for all the victims of Srebrenica in BiH (be they those who perished so cruelly or those who survived it all), ought not, then, to cause any difficulty for any state (or its political representative) who is currently a signatory to International Human Rights.
f) it would be pertinent therefore, for the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch
Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, to respectfully request of Canada’s Prime Minister that he professionally and publicly declare his reasoning for NOT supporting the establishment of such a day of recognition and remembrance regarding the genocide inflicted upon the people of Srebrenica – especially and particularly in the light that many members of Canada’s national and local government supported such a motion.
g) “Human Rights” (and their applications) are intended for ALL human beings, regardless of race, geographical location, skin colour, language, culture, gender, sexual orientation – and include all who are differently abled – without prejudice. GENOCIDE ought never to be permitted to ‘fly BENEATH the radar’ of human right;
h) while the world concentrates tremendous efforts to combat international terrorism (and quite rightly so) why is it so seemingly difficult to recognize and bring to book, those who have already carried out terrible acts of genocide in concentration camps (and elsewhere) in the middle of Europe in the 20th century? Why is it so seemingly difficult to simply establish of a ‘Day of Remembrance’ for all victims – in this case – the past and present inhabitants of Srebrenica”?
Carole Hodge, Post Genocide Education Foundation
“Amongst major world powers, Canada has enjoyed a relatively good reputation on human rights, other than in regard to the Bosnian war. The decision of Prime Minister Stephen Harper not to recognise the Srebrenica genocide is, sadly, consistent with Canada’s position under PM Brian Mulroney during the Bosnian war but, in denying the judgments at the UN Tribunal and the International Court of Justice, brings into question Canada’s overall international standing on human rights issue”’.
Greg Stanton, Chair, International Campaign to End Genocide
“I don’t understand how Prime Minister Harper could oppose remembrance of what has already been declared genocide by the ICTY”.
Smail Cekic, Professor at the Faculty of political science and Director of the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law, University of Sarajevo
“Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law, University of Sarajevo with regret received information from Professor Emir Ramic, Director of the Institute for Research of Genocda Canada that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper denied the relevant historical facts about the events in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of the twentieth century, and especially aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the genocide against Bosniaks. Institute is an autonomous scientific and research institution, a member of the University of Sarajevo. The study of genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law as the most dangerous asocial phenomena detrimental to the society, is one of the most humane social activities, because the facts of the worst violations of international humanitarian law, which explores the Institute are enough warnings on the negative social and devastating phenomenon. In this sense, Institute wants to warn the Canadian prime minister of essential facts about the events in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of the 20th Century, based on which he needs to change its decision: Numerous relevant sources of different provenance reliably suggest the two initial and basic, essential fundamental settings and provisions for the contemporary events and episodes in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of XX century:
Numerous relevant sources of different provenance reliably suggest the two initial and basic, essential fundamental settings and provisions for the contemporary events and episodes in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of XX century:
First, a classic armed aggression was conducted against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, it was crime against peace and safety of mankind which is according to the basic understanding and definition an international armed conflict and
Second, the worst crimes – crime of genocide was committed in the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Bosniacs under siege.
Considering previously mentioned basic assumptions, it is necessary, for the purpose of historic truth, to remind of the relevant facts determine based on the original and relevant documentation:
- Serbian Nazism again – during the last decade of XX century – generated the gravest crimes known to the mankind;
- Serbian nationalistic elite (political, intellectual, and clerical), in accordance with the great Serbian project of great Serbia (“all Serbs in one state“), during the last decade of XX century, caused an internal crisis in SFRY and destroyed the common state;
- The Republic of Serbia, by the Amendments to the Constitution of 28 September, practically made the cessation (from SFRY) and took over the functions of independent and sovereign state, by which it was excluded from the legal system of SFRY, which based on the SFRY laws constituted the gravest criminal offense;
- The aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and genocide against Bosniacs make the essence of joint criminal enterprise conducted by the states of FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) and the Republic of Croatia, their leadership, and numerous top representatives of their respective political, military, police and administration, as well as their fifth column, collaborationists and mercenaries;
- The intention of that criminal act, based in the Serbian and Croatian project of great state, had for its objective taking over of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the state, and “final solution” for the Muslim issue – extermination of Bosniacs or their limitation to an insignificant ethnic group. The fifth column from Bosnia and Herzegovina (“Croatian Community Herzeg Bosnia”, “Republika Srpska” and “Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia”) and from the Republic of Croatia (“Republic of Serbian Krajina”) joined obediently, as associates and executors, the function of these criminal activities;
- To achieve this joint criminal enterprise, the following activities were undertaken: the Constitutional concept of the defense of SFRY was destroyed; the Territorial defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina was reduced and disarmed as well as some other constitutive elements of the Federation; JNA “transformed” from antifascist and multiethnic to the great Serbian army; the great Serbian and great Croatian movements were renewed and they escalated; the methods, mechanisms, and procedures for planning and preparation of the crimes were defined; the principle agreement on the destruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina (March 1991) was reached; new borders of great Serbia and great Croatia were drawn; the fifth column of the neighboring countries was organized and armed (great Serbian and great Croatian) in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the command in the occupied territories was united in the heads of neighboring countries – occupational forces; the initial positions for the aggression were taken as well as for other criminal activities, including genocide against Bosniacs;
- The aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and genocide against Bosniacs were planned (intellectually, ideologically, politically, militarily, economically, media, intelligence, psychologically, etc), with clearly set objective, and ordered from the respective political and military centers, and executed as planned, systematically, and well organized. The state aggressors, then ideologists, planners, order issuing authorities, executors, and associates are well known, and also how these crimes were committed and why;
- The genocide against Bosniacs in Bosnia and Herzegovina was well envisaged and executed even more efficiently, by, unfortunately, massive involvement of Serbian people. Based on the study of the Republika Srpska Government, more than 25,000 persons, participated (on various grounds and in various ways) only in the genocide against Bosniacs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UN safe heaven Srebrenica in July 1995;
- There was a genocidal criminal intention and genocidal plan for the extermination of Bosniacs, a group (ethnic and religious) protected by international humanitarian law (among other things, there are orders to commit genocide, including the establishment of the concentration camps). Slobodan Milošević was “a member of the joint criminal enterprise, which included the leadership of Bosnian Serbs, whose objective and intention were to destroy in part the Bosnian Muslims as a group” (ICTY, Prosecutor vs. Slobodan Milošević, Decision upon the Motion to render the acquittal, the Hague, 16 June 2021);
- The aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with embargo on weapons and humanitarian policy by the United Nations, Europe, and international community, and the international strategy of ignoring the great Serbian fascistic and genocidal project of great Serbia, was an integral part of the Milošević state policy, in which name the biggest portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina was occupied, Bosniacs killed, expelled, taken to the concentration camps because of their belonging, taking over of their land, looting of the property and other moveable items, and taking and confiscation of their houses and apartments, as well as eradication of the traces of their cultural and civilization heritage;
- Collaborationists of the great Serbian aggressor (political, military, police, and administrative-executive potential of Republika Srpska, that is, official Republika Srpska authorities) under the direct management, organization, command, participation and support of the states Serbia and Montenegro / Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which occupied more than 70% of the territory of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, took part in genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Bosniacs;
- Fascist and genocidal leadership of the collaborationist creation of Republika Srpska, with Radovan Karadžić, Momčilo Krajišnik, Biljana Plavšić and others at its top, generated by the Serbian Nazism and on bones of the killed Bosniacs inaugurated a genocidal creation called a Republic, had a genocidal intention and genocidal plan to exterminate Bosniacs that were subjected to genocide;
- In addition to the military and police forces of the collaborationist, fascist, and genocidal Republika Srpska Army and Republika Srpska Krajina Army, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Yugoslav Army and the Republic o Serbia Ministry of the Interior) participated in the take over of Srebrenica, United Nations safe heaven, and genocide against Bosniacs in July 1995. Thus, as an illustration, members of the Yugoslav Army and the special units of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior took part in the execution of the captured Bosniacs;
- Genocide against Bosniacs was carried out continuously, with major or minor oscillations by the end of 1995, in accordance with the great Serbian genocidal ideology, policy, and practice, following the model of fascism and Nazism, irrespective of the number of the killed. The biggest slaughters were in the regions of around ten municipalities with the Bosniac majority in Podrinje, Bosanska posavina, Potkozarje, and along the Sana valley. Mass graves concentration camps were relevant indicators of the aggression and the execution of its main intention – biological and spiritual extermination of Bosniacs, that is, genocide against that people;
- Genocide against Bosniacs is still concealed, minimized, and/or contested, including Judgments by the international (ICTY and ICJ) and national (Federal Republic of Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina) criminal courts, as well as results of the Commission for the Research of the Events in and around Srebrenica from 10 to 19 July 2021 by the Republika Srpska Government and the Working Group for the Implementation of Conclusions from the Final Report of the Commission for the Research of Events in and around Srebrenica from 10 to 19 July 1995;
- The victims of genocide have been permanently and continuously equalized, which is unacceptable (it has been talked more and more about crimes on all “sides”, by which genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law reduced to war crimes only, which, least to say, insults the scholars of these crimes, particularly the victims of genocide), and the qualification is given to this important issue, judgmentally and in a wrong way, such as the character of crime, which finally does not correspond the state of facts and it is in contravention of the relevant documentation;
- We are witnesses, unfortunately, of frequent manipulation of the victims of genocide in Bosnian and Herzegovina at the end of XX century, in which particularly active were the pseudo scholars. The holders of the manipulation are different and versatile, individuals, groups, various associations, institutions, and others, whose interests and objectives are very different and difficult to be articulated, detected, identified, established, and formulated in a unique manner. We have identified them as not well intentioned, counterproductive, and with hidden agenda, with potentially long-lasting harmful implications for Bosnia and Herzegovina as the state and all of its citizens, irrespective of their national, religious, or political background. The basis for this qualification stem from the fact that the so-called studies have not been organized or executed on a scientific ground or scientifically defined procedure, by which the process is defined – from the research idea to the establishment of the results of a scientific research and their potential application in a scientific and social practice. It is well known that there is only one truth, and the objective of science is a scientific truth, reachable only by the application of scientific methods;
- The criminal prosecution of genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law before the courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been continuously obstructed, least to say, whereby we have the forces on the stage which, instead of gravity of the crimes, character, status and number of victims, choose cases based on the ethnic background of the victims, for the purpose of making balance among the crimes committed against three peoples (Bosniacs, Serbs, and Croats) and the pronouncement of the victim of genocide – criminal; moreover, they want to change, through the procedure, the character of “conflict” and the character of crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that the international armed conflict, that is, the aggression, could be qualified as a civil war and the crime of genocide as an “ethnic cleansing”;
- The planners, order issuing authorities, participants, accessories, co-perpetrators, and perpetrators of genocide are in the great Serbian ideology, politics and practice the biggest heroes in the Serbian people (in science, culture, art, education), who live unpunished and enjoy, unfortunately, in the results of genocide while mocking with the victims of those crimes;
- The Serbian people and its political and scientific elite have not distanced from the committed genocide, let alone that they apologized to victims or asked for the forgiveness offering the hand of reconciliation. Instead, they keep denying genocide and they transfer responsibility to the victim of genocide, and fabricate and forge the historic facts such as, for example, “thesis” that the legitimate authorities of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina expelled Serbs from Sarajevo, including “more than 650 University professors and assistants”;
- Entity Republika Srpska is a genocidal creation of the great Serbian Nazism, created on grave violations of international humanitarian law, marked and soaked mainly in Bosniac blood and bordered and covered with numerous mass graves and concentration camps, in which fascistic organization legally operate. This genocidal creation was legalized by the so-called international community and it established the creation as a Constitutional category. Political leadership and other structures of Republika Srpska, in accordance with great Serbian genocidal ideology, policy, and practice, obstruct in all possible ways the strengthening of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the state, and they keep pursuing the policy of cessation, destruction and annulling of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These are only the most basic facts, deeply engraved in the mind of all the survivors of genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law, and they constitute part of social reality, and as such they by all means try to maintain (live and legal) the Nazi projects that finally imply permanent instability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, deny the political-legal and state continuity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, deny the possibility of common living and affirm this position, raising most serious doubts into the universal human values, freedoms and rights, civilization, and cultural legacy.
It is the time indeed, and the necessity to unify and ally all the antifascists and the antifascist forces to fight for the sustainability of human dignity in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
Professor Esad Durakovic, PhD, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo:
I am deeply embittered and strongly condemn the veto, by Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, upon the Resolution in the Parliament of Canada with respect to genocide in Srebrenica. That act is clearly goes against humanism and is politically wrong. The genocide in Srebrenica has been judicially proven by the International Court of Justice and therefore Mr. Harper’s veto is an act which is conflict with the international law and order. It is unfathomable and unacceptable that persons in high offices offer amnesty to the judicially affirmed mass crime of highest proportions. With this act future mass crimes have now been made possible”.
Professor Senadin Lavic, PhD, President of “Preporod”:
“Genocide in Srebrenica has been judicially proven. With this letter we express our support to the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canada Branch, and to Institute of |Research of Genocide Canada and to all Bosniaks in North America. We ask of you to continue your struggle in representing the interests of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to continue insisting upon the Srebrenica Resolution. The persecution of Srebrenica during the war against Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued beyond July of 1995 by way of shameless actions of people who attempt to use the Srebrenica genocide to further their own political and ideological agendas. On June 18, 2010, Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, denied the crime of genocide upon the Bosniaks of Srebrenica by refusing a motion that July 11th be recognized in Canada as Day of Remembrance of the victims of genocide in Srebrenica. Majority of political parties represented in the Parliament of Canada have accepted to support the motion to proclaim July 11th as the Day of Remembrance of genocide in Srebrenica. The Conservative Party of Canada, acting below all levels of democracy and civility, led by Prime Minister Harper, put a condition on accepting the resolution by directly attacking the very being of Bosniaks. Mr. Harper and his followers have demanded of Canadian Bosniaks to strike from the resolution the national identifier Bosniak and that it be replaced by “the Bosnian people” so as to hide the identity of the victim. Further, the Conservatives have demanded that the number of victims be lowered from over 8,000 to under 7,000 and also that the term “genocide” be removed from the Resolution. It is necessary here to alert the public to the fact that the political mentor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper was one Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada, who is otherwise known for having publicly proclaimed himself “the Serbian son” at the gathering of Serbian Chetnik extremists, on S.Vitus’ Day in July of 1992, in Hamilton, Ontario.
On July 11th, 1992, in Srebrenica, members of the Bosniak people were murdered. Bosniaks were murdered in Srebrenica! Murdered were people, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and an independent European state, before the eyes of the whole world. Murdered were women and men, from newborns to elderly. Several thousand Serbs took part in that genocide. The crime was committed by the Greater Serbian barbarians who attempted to hide hundreds of mass graves all over the Podrinje Region. They are still doing it today. Bosniaks are still searching for the remains of their own and they are buying them in Potocari and other graves. The Greater Serbian Lobby, throughout the world, is also engaged in the crime committed. They are trying to hide the genocide which had been committed in the name of the Serbian people and thus render it irrelevant. In that way the genocide upon Bosniaks in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina is being finalized. The only proper term for the crime perpetrated upon the Bosniaks in Srebrenica is genocide. No one has the right to negotiate that term and try to replace it with another which falsifies the contents of the crime perpetrated.
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has, in its deliberation in the “Krstic” case, unanimously ruled that the crime of genocide was perpetrated in Srebrenica. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, on February 26th, 2007, ruled that genocide was perpetrated in Srebrenica and that Serbia was legally bound to prevent that crime. In a civilized world judicial rulings are accepted with due respect and not negotiated upon. Judicial rulings are indubitable and binding. Judicial truths ought to be respected. That should be clear to Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, who apparently has become the speaker of the Greater Serbian Chetnik Lobby of Canada.
It is evident that the attempt at hiding and denying the Srebrenica genocide is part and parcel of the plans of those who have planned and executed genocide upon Bosniaks. The genocide in Srebrenica, in July of 1995, was perpetrated as it was planned and organized by the Greater Serbian aggressors against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Milosevic regime in Belgrade was the fundamental force which acted in committing many crimes throughout the areas of the former Yugoslavia. All those who today deny the Srebrenica genocide make themselves accomplices in the Greater Serbian crime against the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and are including themselves among criminals and murderers. The Srebrenica genocide had been judicially proven and is not subject to any negotiations or political gamesmanship, as it is an affirmed absolute truth.
We ask the Canadian Bosniaks, and especially the esteemed members of Parliament, Hon. Francine Lalonde, Hon. Brian Masse, Hon. Robert Oliphant, Hon. Pierre Pettigrew, Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Hon. Jean Augustine and others to continue with their noble quest for truth and justice”.
Dennis Gratz, PhD:
I cannot help but characterize Prime Minister Harper’s veto upon Resolution on genocide in Srebrenica as shameful. I think that citizens of Canada have lost the opportunity to have their elected representatives express sympathy and show support for the victims and survivors, those who have lost their own in that horrific, ultimate crime. Prime Minister Harper’s response to the crime which in its essence threatens the whole of humanity is worthy of resentment yet we must keep in mind that his is an act of defeatism of an individual who does not represent the position and opinion of the Canadian people. It is now necessary to point to that and with joint forces, with those who are aware, who are progressive thinkers and politicians, who are intellectuals and social activists of renown, work so as to see the Resolution adopted and that Canada join other countries which have shown their morality, conscience and greatness by way of adopting the Resolution condemning the genocide upon the Bosniaks of Srebrenica. May the words of the great Edmund Burke always be a warning: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”.
Congress of North American Bosniaks
“Congress of North American Bosniaks (CNAB) strongly condemns the shameful decision of the Canadian prime minister to veto a House of Commons motion M-416, agreed to by the Foreign Affairs Minister’s office and all opposition parties, which recognizes the Srebrenica genocide with a Remembrance Day. It is incomprehensible that the prime minister continues to ignore the voices of reason and insists on questioning the facts surrounding the Srebrenica Genocide which have been established on many occasions by the International Courts of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia. In addition, the U.S. and the EU have both passed the Srebrenica Genocide resolutions and condemned the ethnic cleansing and genocide that took place in BiH during the 1990’s. Many cities in the United States and state governments in the US have started issuing resolutions and proclamation recognizing the importance of this day.
We call upon all the MPs of Canada to continue to push for justice for the victims. Preserving the facts and remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide is the least that we can collectively do to ensure such attrocities do not occur again anywhere in the world. Canadian government has a historic opportunity to recognize genocide for what it is. Most Bosniak-Canadians are carrying physical and emotional scars from this genocide, and having a Srebrenica Remembrance day will help ease those scars and honor the victims.
Mr. Harper’s lack of acknowledgment of the importance of this motion sets a dangerous precedent of silent approval for those who seek to oppress and commit attrocities in the future. If Canada does not recognize the Srebrenica genocide as defined by the United Nations Charter it will continue to raise questions regarding Canada’s commitment and sincerity to promoting human rights and peace in the world. It will also send a clear signal to Canadian Bosniaks that despite their best efforts as citizens, the country they now call home is unwilling to support
their loved ones who lost their lives in the worst atrocity in Europe since the Holocaust”.
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The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch
The Institute for Research of Genocide Canada
Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa, Canada
Islamic Association of Bosniaks Canada
Press release
For immediate release
June 9th, 2010, Parliament Hill Ottawa, Canada.
The year 2010 marks the 15th anniversary since the act of genocide took place in a small town in eastern Bosnia called Srebrenica. It also marks the 5th anniversary of lobby action by Canadian Bosniaks, who want Canada recognize this genocide as such, and to come aboard with the rest of the developed world in their pursuit of international commitment to justice and peace.
Today we are here to reiterate our commitment to the promise of Never Again Genocide, Never Again Concentration Camps and Never Again Mass Graves. We are here today to show that maintenance of this commitment is very important because these strong messages can actually save lives of those living in regions impacted by raging wars.
The truth that we want to say today, loud and clear, has been confirmed by many living and unfortunately many dead people. Experts from many renowned organizations, International courts and tribunals, survivors, witnesses, and exhumed remains from the mass graves all tell the same truth.
THAT IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE 10TH AND 14TH OF JULY 1995 IN THE REGION OF A SMALL TOWN IN EASTERN BOSNIA CALLED SREBRENICA, AT LEAST 8353 MEN AND BOYS WERE GRUSOMLY EXECUTED BY SERB FORCES, UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, WAR CRIMINAL, STILL AT LARGE. LET US REMIND OURSELVES THAT SREBRENICA AT THAT TIME WAS A SAFE HAVEN PROCLAIMED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
Bodies of these innocent people were then buried in multiple mass graves, which were subsequently, by using heavy machinery, moved again and buried in secondary mass graves in order to bury the truth too. Some bodies were dismantled in this process and the body parts of one person in some cases ended up in two, three or more different mass graves.
It has been confirmed by the International Tribunal in Hague, By the Senate of the USA, by the European Union Parliament, and by other counties, states and cities including the state of Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, city of Grand Rapids and the countries such as Croatia, Lithuania, and even Serbia and Monte Negro.
The Srebrenica genocide was a repeat of the dehumanizing genocidal practices seen during World War II. At Srebrenica, Bosniak men (some as young as fifteen years old) were separated from women and the elderly, and were never to be seen again — all under the eyes of the Western world. The images of the suffering were seen worldwide and somehow only managed to receive a juridical epilogue.
For the judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), there was no hesitation in the sentencing of Bosnian Serb General Radislav Krstić. He was sentenced to thirty-five years in jail for “aiding and abetting” the genocide at Srebrenica. This was a crime that was all the more heinous because it was carried out in spite of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 819, which had demanded that Srebrenica be treated as “a safe area which should be free from any armed attacks,” and that the Republika Srpska Army should withdraw “from the areas surrounding Srebrenica”.
In its Judgement in the Krstić case the Court stated that “The depravity, brutality and cruelty with which the Bosnian Serb Army … treated the innocent inhabitants of the safe area are now well known and documented. Bosnian women, children and elderly were removed from the enclave, and between 7,000 – 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men were systematically murdered”. The Court clarified that, “that Bosnian Serb forces carried out genocide against the Bosnian Muslims… They targeted for extinction the forty thousand Bosnian Muslims living in Srebrenica, a group which was emblematic of the Bosnian Muslims in general. They stripped all the male Muslim prisoners, military and civilian, elderly and young, of their personal belongings and identification, and deliberately and methodically killed them solely on the basis of their identity. The Bosnian Serb forces were aware, when they embarked on this genocidal venture, that the harm they caused would continue to plague the Bosnian Muslims”. The Court concluded that we must call “the massacre at Srebrenica by its proper name: genocide.”
Further, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Serbia “violated the obligation to prevent genocide, under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in respect of the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995”. Moreover, the ICJ found that Serbia “failed in its duty to co-operate fully with the ICTY,” to bring about, for example, the capture of the accused war criminal Ratko Mladić. Serbia should be held responsible for failing to take all measures to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.
International Law emphasizes that genocide is a crime against humanity, and this convention applies to the brutalities perpetrated against the Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995. The Parliament of the European Union and the Parliament of many European countries as well as the American Congress and the Senate have adopted resolutions on the Bosnian and Srebrenica Genocide. What happened in Srebrenica and in the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 is an example of crimes prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and for that reason it cannot be forgotten. As the Court stated in the Krstić Judgement: “This is a crime against all of humankind, its harm being felt not only by the group targeted for destruction, but by all of humanity”.
The question is: What is Canada waiting for?
Honourable Brian Masse, MP for Windsor West was the first MP to answer to the request of the Bosnian-Canadian Community and he finally embodied our efforts to have Canada pass a motion recognizing, confirming and commemorating the Srebrenica genocide through a Srebrenica Remembrance Day. During the past year a motion has been drafted and introduced as m-416; followed by numerous letters to all MP’s, to office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Honourable Lawrence Cannon and to the office of Honorable Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Mr. Masse’s commitment to the greater good and justice reached it’s peak, when during the negotiations he agreed to give the motion (final version agreed upon by all parties) to Mr. Cannon. However, a sudden change of hearts is jeopardizing the passage of this motion just days before the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica. Neither Mr. Masse nor the Bosnian community ever received any explanation or the rationale behind this decision.
Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch, Institute for the research of Genocide, Canada, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa, Canada, and Islamic Association of Bosniak Canada in the name of 50 000 Bosnians now living in Canada are anxiously awaiting the decision of Canadian Government. We are here to help Canada get abreast with the rest of the International Powers who already passed similar resolutions.
We like to inform Canadian public that in a letter to members of the Canadian Parliament from more than 20 most important experts in the world says: “ We, Members of the International Team of Experts of the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada express support for Motion M – 416 on Genocide in Srebrenica. On August 29, 2009, MP Brian Masse introduced the Motion that was sponsored by Mr. Brian Masse, MP, and seconded by Mr. Bill Siksay, MP, and Ms. Chris Charlton, MP. The Motion has support from the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Blok Quebecois, Green Party of Canada, the Islamic and Jewish Congress of Canada, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, the Congress of North American Bosniaks and many organizations for the protection of human rights and freedom in Canada and in the world. We ask that the Canadian Government pass (proclaim) motion M-416 as originally introduced by Mr. Brian Masse. We ask that it be passed in the latest negotiated version and that Srebrenica Remembrance Day be proclaimed as soon as possible. It is our hope that Canada will stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality. We are anxiously awaiting your response”.
We are sending a direct message for Mr. Harper to remember Canada’s Commitment to G-8 and G-20, to remember Canada’s commitment to the Organization of United Nations, to remember Canada’s commitment to the Peace Implementation Council, an international body charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina, to remember the Canadian soldiers who have fallen in Bosnia and to remember the victims and survivors of this massacre, and to answer the simple question: is Canada ready to be a leader once again and truly be the best country to live in for many great Canadians?
Motion M-416
That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, declared an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
It is our hope that Canada will have its representative in Srebrenica on July 11th to stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality.
Professor Emir Ramic
President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada
Zeljko Milicevic
President and Chairman, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa.
Tajib Pasanbegovic
Head Imam Bosniak – Canadian Community
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Letter of the Bosnian-Canadian Community to Prime Minister
Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Cc: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada
Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada,
Jack Layton, Leader of New Democratic Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, The leader Bloc Quebecois
Dear Honorable Prime Minister,
July 11, 2010, will be the fifteenth anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. As has been emphasized by the International Courts for War Crimes at the Hague, the Srebrenica genocide was the most heinous crime committed against humanity in Europe after World War II. More than eight thousand Bosniak men and boys were systematically murdered in one week, and twenty-five thousand other Bosniaks were forced out of Srebrenica and surrounding areas that suffered from Bosnian Serb aggression and occupation at that time.
The Srebrenica genocide was a repeat of the dehumanizing genocidal practices seen during World War II. At Srebrenica, Bosniak men (some as young as fifteen years old) were separated from women and the elderly, and were never to be seen again — all under the eyes of the Western world. The images of the suffering were seen worldwide and somehow only managed to receive a juridical epilogue.
For the judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), there was no hesitation in the sentencing of Bosnian Serb General Radislav Krstić. He was sentenced to thirty-five years in jail for “aiding and abetting” the genocide at Srebrenica. [1] This was a crime that was all the more heinous because it was carried out in spite of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 819, which had demanded that Srebrenica be treated as “a safe area which should be free from any armed attacks,” and that the Republika Srpska Army should withdraw “from the areas surrounding Srebrenica.” [2]
In its Judgement in the Krstić case the Court stated that “The depravity, brutality and cruelty with which the Bosnian Serb Army … treated the innocent inhabitants of the safe area are now well known and documented. Bosnian women, children and elderly were removed from the enclave, and between 7,000 – 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men were systematically murdered.”[3] The Court clarified that, “that Bosnian Serb forces carried out genocide against the Bosnian Muslims… They targeted for extinction the forty thousand Bosnian Muslims living in Srebrenica, a group which was emblematic of the Bosnian Muslims in general. They stripped all the male Muslim prisoners, military and civilian, elderly and young, of their personal belongings and identification, and deliberately and methodically killed them solely on the basis of their identity. The Bosnian Serb forces were aware, when they embarked on this genocidal venture, that the harm they caused would continue to plague the Bosnian Muslims.” [4] The Court concluded that we must call “the massacre at Srebrenica by its proper name: genocide.” [5]
Further, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Serbia “violated the obligation to prevent genocide, under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in respect of the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995”. [6] Moreover, the ICJ found that Serbia “failed in its duty to co-operate fully with the ICTY,” to bring about, for example, the capture of the accused war criminal Ratko Mladić. [7] Serbia should be held responsible for failing to take all measures to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.
International Law emphasizes that genocide is a crime against humanity [8], and this convention applies to the brutalities perpetrated against the Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995. The Parliament of the European Union and the Parliament of many European countries as well as the American Congress and the Senate have adopted resolutions on the Bosnian and Srebrenica Genocide. What happened in Srebrenica and in the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 is an example of crimes prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and for that reason it cannot be forgotten. As the Court stated in the Krstić Judgement: “This is a crime against all of humankind, its harm being felt not only by the group targeted for destruction, but by all of humanity.” [9] Therefore, in the name of all the genocide victims in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the name of many Canadians, we ask of you, the members of the Canadian Parliament, to support Motion M-416, which is sponsored by Mr. Brian Masse, MP, and seconded by Mr. Bill Siksay, MP, and Ms. Chris Charlton, MP. We are proud to say that we also have support from the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Blok Quebecois, Green Party of Canada, the Islamic and Jewish Congress of Canada, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, and many organizations for protection of human rights and freedom.
Canadian Bosniaks, all Canadians, and all friends of truth and justice truly hope that the members of the Canadian Parliament will pass the resolution M-416 before the month of July since this year will be the fifteenth anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and also marks five years of advocacy of the Canadian Bosniaks. By passing this resolution, Canada will become another strong voice in the genocide prevention movement. Indeed, a resolution from a country such as Canada is duly needed in a time where human rights and freedoms are still not observed globally. Even today the less fortunate around the world are deprived of basic human rights because these simple rights are being overshadowed by the progression of technology and globalization. As the world becomes more technologically advanced, only those in the developed nations will progress, while the poor continue to be victims of injustice and genocide. Canada is blessed to be a powerful nation that can make a difference on the world stage. By accepting this resolution, Canada will send a clear message to the international community that it condemns genocide and that it holds justice dear.
In the name of all innocent victims of genocide and other crimes against humanity that occurred in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we humbly request that Canada accept Resolution M-416 through which July 11 would become Srebrenica Remembrance Day. We thank you for the support thus far and we hope that Canada will join the United States and the European Union in support of human rights.
Respectfully,
For the Canadian – Bosnian Community
Professor Emir Ramic
President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Branch Canada and Chair of the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada
***
[1] UN/ICTY Judgement of the Appeals Chamber in the case of Prosecutor vs. Radislav Krstić, Case No: IT-98-33-A, 19, April 2004, p. 46-48. http://www.icty.org/x/cases/krstic/acjug/en/krs-aj040419e.pdf.
[2] United Nations Security Council Resolution 819, 16 April 1993. The Resolution also condemned the Bosnian Serb “abhorrent campaign of ‘ethnic cleansing’” and warned that the perpetrators would be held personally responsible for violations International Humanitarian Law.
[3] UN/ICTY Judgement of the Appeals Chamber in the case of Prosecutor vs. Radislav Krstić, Case No: IT-98-33-A, 19, April 2004, p. 1.
[4] Ibid., p. 12.
[5] Ibid., p. 13.
[6] International Court of Justice, Press Release, 26 February 2007,
Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro).

http://www.icj-cij.org/presscom/index.php?pr=1897&pt=1&p1=6&p2=1.

See also International Court of Justice, Judgment, 26 February 2007, Paragraph 438, p. 158.

http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/91/13685.pdf.

[7] International Court of Justice, Judgment 26 February 2007, Paragraph 449, p. 161.

http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/91/13685.pdf.

[8] United Nations Resolution 96 (I) The Crime of Genocide 11 December 1946.
[9] UN/ICTY Judgement of the Appeals Chamber in the case of Prosecutor vs. Radislav Krstić, Case No: IT-98-33-A, 19, April 2004, p. 12.