Posted on Friday 3rd July 2020
People from across Staffordshire are being invited to commemorate Srebrenica Memorial Week which takes place from 5 to 11 July each year.
This year is particularly poignant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events that happened in Srebrenica on 11 July 1995.
The theme for this year is ‘Every Action Matters’ which hopes to show that the action of one individual does matter, however small their action may initially appear.
Staffordshire County Council will be joining in commemorations and will be lowering the Union Flag over the weekend of 11 July.
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council said:
“Srebrenica Memorial Week is an important anniversary that allows us to honour the victims and survivors of not just the genocide in Srebrenica, but all genocides.
“It’s really important that we teach current and future generations about the consequences of hatred and intolerance in all communities. Through this, we’ll be able to create a better, stronger and more cohesive society here in the United Kingdom and across the world.”
Kath Perry, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council added:
“During this special anniversary, we hope to commemorate and remember everyone affected by what happened in Srebrenica 25 years ago and learn the lessons from this horrendous genocide.
“As part of our commemorations, we will be lowering the Union Flag on County Buildings over the weekend and I would urge people to try and take a few minutes to remember those who lost their lives during the genocide.”
On 11 July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces, led by General Ratko Mladić overran and captured the town of Srebrenica in Eastern Bosnia which had been declared a UN Safe Area. In the days following, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered and buried in mass graves. Thousands of women, children and the elderly were forcibly deported.
People can find out more about ‘Srebrenica Remembers’ and the anniversary at http://www.srebrenica.org.uk/