SIX YEARS SINCE THE SREBRENICA MASSACRE

SIX YEARS SINCE THE SREBRENICA MASSACRE

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 marks the sixth anniversary of the beginning of the biggest massacre in Europe following World War II. On that day, units of the Republika Srpska Army began a liquidation of several thousand Bosnian men and boys from the safe haven of Srebrenica. An exact number of those executed will probably never be known, however, it has been proven that in Potocari, more than 3000 residents of Srebrenica lost their lives; the total number of victims is likely three times that figure.

The Srebrenica enclave was a UN protected zone. After being granted permission from international troops, the civilian population caught in the town was evacuated in the direction of Tuzla. But although the commander of the Republika Srpska Army, General Ratko Mladic, with his military honor, guaranteed the security of all those evacuated, members of his army separated all men over the age of 15 and, without trial, sentenced them to death by execution. In the eyes of the law, the massacre in Srebrenica is considered an act of genocide. It shamed the entire Serb people, but also the international troops responsible for the safety of the population within the safe haven. To date, only second-rate perpetrators have been sent to the Hague to answer for this crime. Karadzic and Mladic are still not within the range of justice.

The families of the massacre victims will never forget that dreadful July 1995. Nor will we ever forget the massacre at Srebrenica. A massacre which we have been denouncing all these years. A massacre which was responsible for the endless suffering of women, children, the elderly, mobilized soldiers and all other direct and indirect victims of organized crime in the former Yugoslavia.

We therefore demand:

The immediate arrest of Karadzic, Mladic and all others suspected of participation in crimes against humanity;

That the government of the Republic of Serbia, whom we publicly recognize as having rid Serbia of the presence of Slobodan Milosevic, deliver to the Hague all suspected criminals currently on the territory of the country;

That the aforementioned government put pressure on the authorities in Republika Srpska to secure the arrest and criminal proceedings of all alleged criminals in the territory of Republika Srpska;

That the public and independent electronic media in Serbia fulfill their civic responsibility by using the anniversary of the massacre to inform the public about the crimes which were committed in the name of the Serb people;

That the citizens of Serbia confront the recent past and take their share of responsibility for the dishonor which we were pushed into by criminal leaders and criminal defenders of national interests, but also our lack of strong opposition to the evil around us;

That together we decide never again to allow the sprouting of the weeds of hate, violence and evil in our country.

If you agree with this statement we ask that you respond immediately, but no later than Monday, July 9 at 17:00.

Commemoration of the massacre (a silent protest in black clothing in Republic Square and a panel discussion at the Veljkovic Pavillion) will be held in cooperation with Women in Black and the Center for Cultural Decontamination.

We ask our male friends who wish to join the protest in Republic Square to come dressed in black.

We expect participation of activists of more than 15 cities in Serbia for the protest. In Montenegro, activists will hold protests in Podgorica and Kotor in coordination with us.

Belgrade, 9/7/01 Women in Black

Following groups have joined and signed this message:

ZAD – Zensko autonomno društvo, Novi Sad

ZAR , Kikinda

Zenski centar, Leskovac

ZMIG , Pancevo

Cilim , Pirot

KC Damad , Novi Pazar

Impuls , Tutin

Zenska grupa , Cetinje

SOS telefon , Nikšic

Crnogorski Zenski lobi , Podgorica