PM's statement on the 17th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre
"We must never forget the act of genocide that was committed in Srebrenica, nor should it ever be denied."
Prime Minister David Cameron has made a statement to mark the anniversary of the 17th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.
Mr Cameron said:
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys lost their lives. I offer my deepest sympathy to the bereaved, and to all those who lost loved ones during the conflicts in the Balkans.
We must never forget the act of genocide that was committed in Srebrenica, nor should it ever be denied. On this occasion it is important to reflect and reaffirm the conviction that the world must act to prevent such atrocities from taking place.
Since 1995 we have seen considerable progress towards justice for the victims of war crimes in the Balkans. Ratko Mladic’s trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague is now underway. This is testament to the international community’s commitment to bringing those accused of war crimes to justice.
Although his trial can never compensate the families of the victims, I hope it will contribute to enabling the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to look towards a brighter future. I call on all leaders and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work in a spirit of reconciliation and cooperation and to move the country forwards on the path to EU and NATO membership.