FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

July 11, 2022                

MASSE REMEMBERS SREBRENICA ON THE 27th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE

(Windsor)- Today, Brian Masse M.P. (Windsor West), NDP Innovation, Science, Economic Development Critic issued the following statement on the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide:

“Twenty-six years have passed since the Srebrenica Genocide took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This horrific event is commemorated annually on July 11 because on that day in 1995 Bosnian Serb forces, commanded by convicted war criminal General Ratko Mladic, executed more than 7000 Muslim-Bosniak men and boys who had sought safety in the region after the fall of Srebrenica. Another 25,000 people were forcibly deported in an UN-assisted ethnic cleansing that was later referred to in the European Parliament’s resolution as the “biggest war crime in Europe since the end of WWII”. It was declared an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice.

On October 19th 2010, my motion, which passed with unanimous support, in Canadian House of Commons, established that the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in memorial of the Srebrenica Genocide which is one of five genocides officially recognized by the Government of Canada.

In 2011, I travelled to Bosnia and met with the Mothers of Srebrenica, local leaders, and many others in the community. I remain committed to ensuring the sacrifices of those lost in this genocide will not be forgotten.

Equally important is to fight against genocide denial. Education about these crimes against humanity in our schools and annual public events and memorials are the best way to guarantee this history is known.

Here in Windsor a few years ago the local Bosnian Muslim community, established this memorial in Windsor’s Jackson Park about the Srebrenica genocide. Every year since then, the Srebrenica Remembrance Day event is held at this memorial attended by not only residents but people from across the province and the country.

To the people of Srebrenica, and the thousands living in Canada today, we honour your sacrifices, remember your victims, and will continue working to ensure that such an event never again takes place,” Masse stated.

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For More Information: Mohummed Peer 519-982-8816