Letter from Prof. Smail Cekic to Canadian Parliament

Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada
Published: February 27, 2010  

No. 621/I-09
Sarajevo February 26, 2022

PARLIAMENT OF CANADA

Dear members of the Parliament of Canada,

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that Professor Emir Ramic (from Hamilton), Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide -Canada, which is unit of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the Sarajevo University in Sarajevo, informed us that the Resolution M-416 is in the Parliamentary procedure, foreseeing that the Government and Parliament of Canada declare 11th July the Day of remembrance of the genocide victims in Srebrenica, UN safe area, and that Canada introduces a week of Bosnia and Herzegovina there.

The initiation of the Parliamentary procedure to declare the 11th July the Day of remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide truly and profoundly touched our hearts as human beings, University professors, scholars and genocide victims.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a symbol of the suffering of a people because of their national, ethnic, and religious belonging, as well as continuous orientation and conquering aspirations against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the extermination of some of its nations. It is at the same time the paradigmatic example of antifascist resistance and defense of Europe, ever since the worst evil known to the mankind - crime of genocide at the end of the 20th century, when Europe remained mute to the cries of helpless people for salvation, while the world, particularly the Governments of big Western countries took a neutral, ignorant, passive, and hypocritical position towards the genocide victims, depriving them of the legitimate rights to defend biological and physical survival.

Researching (scientifically-theoretically and scientifically-empirically) genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and interactional law, we at the same time raise our voice against genocide. We are also sending the message that will significantly influence the consciousness and morale of the powerful to save modern mankind and civilization, preserve the highest human values, human freedoms and rights and the lives of the small, weak, powerless groups, human communities and nations. The current and future generations have to learn all genocides, in the interests of future of the modern world and civilization, and take historic lessons to finally strengthen, develop, and unify all the antifascist forces, regardless of national, ethnic, racial, religious, ideological, and political background, in the strategy of prevention and punishment of crime of genocide.

It is the duty of the scholars, as the Nobel prize winner Eli Wiesel said, to speak for victims, remind of their suffering and tears, and suppress the fear of oblivion. Scholars must have their professional responsibility and sufficient courage to study and inform the public about the scientific truth on genocide.

Using the method of scientific findings and scientific research in genocide studies, the Institute has gathered and obtained, sorted and processed, analyzed and systematically presented the results of studies to the public, including both scientific and professional, which were also accepted as valid by the ICTY in The Hague. The Institute, during the hard times under the barbarian siege of Sarajevo and after, hosted, along with the experts from B&H and region, the experts of international academic community in the field of Holocaust and genocide studies: Eric Markusen, Gregory Stanton, Debora Lipstadt, Israel Charny or Peter Balakian.

We sincerely hope and expect that the members of the Parliament of Canada will uphold the proposed Resolution, whose adoption will join them to the antifascist movement on the planet of Earth, where we finally have to promote the universal human values, rights and freedoms of, unfortunately the large number of helpless, humiliated, poor and hungry, those deprived of rights who at the time of globalization and development of science and technology, development of quality of human lives, become victims of not only the manipulation but genocide as well.

With this Resolution the reputation of Canada will be enhanced around the world, as has previously been the case. Canada will in this way send a clear message which promotes and affirms peace, justice, and truth, and strongly condemns injustice, evil, human suffering, and tragedy.

On behalf of all the innocent victims of genocide and other forms of crimes against humanity and international law in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of the 20th century, we appeal to you to adopt the proposed Resolution, by which the 11th July will be declared the Day of remembrance of genocide victims in Srebrenica, UN safe area. With this hope, we extend our biggest gratitude and respect.

Most sincere regards,

DIRECTOR

Prof. dr. Smail Cekic
AFW2598