Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament on Friday observed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, perpetrated 30 years ago by the Bosnian Serb forces who killed over 8,000 Bosniaks following the fall of that eastern Bosnian enclave, which had been under UN protection.
"I invite you to observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, with sincere sympathy for all their family members," Deputy Speaker Furio Radin said at the start of today's sitting, addressing the MPs.
He emphasised that the war atrocities in Srebrenica was undoubtedly an act of genocide.
"This was confirmed last year by the UN General Assembly, which designated 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica and called on all member states and other international and regional organisations to commemorate this day, particularly condemning any denial of the genocide and glorification of war criminals," he stated.
Radin reminded that 30 years ago, in July 1995, in the protected zone declared by the UN Security Council, which was supposed to be safeguarded by UN forces, the army, police, and paramilitary formations of the Bosnian Serbs committed one of the largest crimes in Europe since World War II.
"In just one week, more than eight thousand lives were taken, the majority of them Bosniak boys and men," Radin emphasised.
He pointed out that such "madness" ended with immense pain and sorrow for the families of the victims and that every year, especially around this time, their wounds are reopened, seeking truth and justice.
"These wounds call on us not to surrender them to oblivion, to never stop seeking the truth, and to never falter in the fight for peace," the Sabor Deputy Speaker.
He also noted that every remembrance of the victims, every condemnation of the crime committed, is our contribution to creating a society based on greater respect, understanding, and mutual dignity.
Radin reminded that in 2009, the Croatian Parliament declared 11 July as a Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide, and for the past 20 years, this day has been solemnly observed.
"Every year, even up until 2005, when we unanimously adopted the Declaration on Srebrenica, we have commemorated this day with the utmost reverence in this high chamber," he reminded his colleagues.
A number of European leaders and ministers will travel to Srebrenica on Friday, including Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.