Candles Lit Outside Serbian Presidency to Commemorate Srebrenica

Activists from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights and other anti-war groups gathered in front of the Serbian presidency building on Sunday evening to light candles to commemorate victims of the genocide of Bosniaks from Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995.

The activists also held up a banner with the slogan "It shouldn't happen to anyone again".

The Youth Initiative for Human Rights said in a statement before the event that by commemorating the victims of Srebrenica, "human rights activists continue to fight for a different Serbia, which will face up to the crimes committed on its behalf, and which will be able to show reverence for the victims and make a crucial contribution to justice for the victims".

The Serbian authorities "openly and directly" deny that the Srebrenica massacres constituted genocide, despite the verdicts of international courts, the statement added.

A "virtual monument" to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide will soon be installed in Belgrade, it announced.

Like other Srebrenica anniversary events in Belgrade over the past week, such as the opening of the photo exhibition 'Soul of Srebrenica' and peace group Women in Black's commemorative action in the city centre, Sunday's event was held under police protection.

Dozens of counter-protesters gathered in front of the police cordon, shouting the names of Bosnian Serb wartime military and political leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic and chanting "Srebrenica is not genocide". They also insulted prominent activists who attended the commemoration, and played Serbian folk music from speakers.

Activists outside the Serbian presidency on Sunday. Photo: BIRN.

Photo: BIRN.

Photo: BIRN.

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