Statement on remembering Srebrenica
Cllr Tristan Chatfield, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities, on why it is important to remember those who lost their lives in the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995.
This year, we are recognising the 23nd anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, during which thousands of men and boys were systematically murdered, simply because they were Muslim.
Today (4 July) I will join colleagues from across the city council in commemorating the thousands who lost their lives during the 11-day massacre in the Bosnian town, which began on 11 July 1995.
As an organisation that works with Remembering Srebrenica, we feel it is vital to commemorate Srebrenica to take a stand against hatred and discrimination that targets groups based on their religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or any type of difference.
The theme - Acts of Courage - is a reminder that hope and the common bonds of humanity can triumph in the darkest of times.
We are all invited to draw strength and inspiration from those who, during the genocide and ethnic cleansing, were bold enough to resist an ideology of division, protect their neighbours, and speak out for truth and justice. The baton of courage has now been passed on and it is up to us learn the lessons from Srebrenica.
It is now more important than ever for us to come together as people in the UK, no matter what our background, to celebrate diversity and to stand together in solidarity against hatred and discrimination.
We hope you will join us in mourning the loss of those who died at Srebrenica, and reflecting on how we as individuals, groups and communities can come together to build a better future without hatred.