Local Euro MP succeeds in her call for EU-wide commemoration of Srebrenica genocide

1.57.35pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

In July 1995, the Bosnian town of Srebrenica fell into the hands of Serbian militias. After the fall of the town, units commanded by General Ratko Mladi? executed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys who had sought safety in the area. In addition, nearly 25,000 women, children and elderly people were forcibly deported, "making this event the biggest war crime to take place in Europe since the end of the Second World War". In a resolution adopted by 556 votes to 9 with 22 abstentions, the European Parliament has called for recognition of 11 July as the day of commemoration throughout the EU.

Local Euro MP, Diana Wallis MEP who jointly proposed the resolution said:

"I had the honour to attend the Srebrenica Memorial Day last July on behalf of the European Parliament. It is an extraordinarily dignified and moving event attended by many thousands to grieve and remember together. You cannot but be touched by it, especially when we all feel complicit having witnessed some of the scenes of July 1995 on our own TV screens and felt so helpless.

Diana Wallis, a Vice President of Parliament, added:

"That these events are so near in time and place to all Europeans adds all the more meaning and urgency to the need to remember, to learn and to rebuild. That is why a European day of remembrance for Srebrenica-Potocari could be so important."

In view of the fact that General Mladi? is still at large almost 14 years after the tragic events, Parliament also demands that further efforts be made to bring the remaining fugitives to justice, stressing that bringing to justice those responsible for the massacres in and around Srebrenica is an important step towards peace and stability in the region.

(Pic shows Diana Wallis MEP addressing the Srebrenica Memorial Day on behalf of the European Parliament in July 2009)