Prime Minister of Canada and his Foreign Affairs Minister - Canadian Government must join the world community and pass the motion M – 416
{Common message of the members of the Canadian Parliament and leaders of Bosnian Diaspora in Canada from joint press conference in the Canadian Parliament}

World Intellectuals Urge Canadian Parliament to Adopt Srebrenica Genocide Motion (M-416)

We, Members of the International Team of Experts of the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada express support for Motion M – 416 on Genocide in Srebrenica. On August 29, 2009, MP Brian Masse introduced the Motion that was sponsored by Mr. Brian Masse, MP, and seconded by Mr. Bill Siksay, MP, and Ms. Chris Charlton, MP. The Motion has support from the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Blok Quebecois, Green Party of Canada, the Islamic and Jewish Congress of Canada, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, the Congress of North American Bosniaks and many organizations for the protection of human rights and freedom in Canada and in the world.
With Motion–146, the Canadian Parliament and Government are observing the 15th anniversary of the genocide committed in the Bosnian city of Srebrenica in July 1995, and expressing support for the designation of “Srebrenica Remembrance Day” in Canada.



In addition, the undersigned:

1. Solemnly observe the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide,
2. Support the designation of ”Srebrenica Remembrance Day” in Canada,
3. Commend the official bodies that have recognized the Srebrenica genocide, including the European Parliament, and the American Congress and Senate, which declared a Srebrenica Remembrance Day in the European Union and America,
4. Honor the memory of the thousands of innocent people who died at Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 1995, along with all individuals who were killed during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995,


5. Extend condolences to the families and friends of those who died at Srebrenica in July 1995, and during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995;
6. Reaffirm support for the independence and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, peace and stability in southeastern Europe as a whole, and the right of all people living in the region, regardless of national, racial, ethnic or religious background, to return to their homes and enjoy the benefits of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic opportunity, as well as to know the fate of missing relatives and friends.
We ask that the Canadian Government pass (proclaim) motion M-416 as originally introduced by Mr. Brian Masse. We ask that it be passed in the latest negotiated version and that Srebrenica Remembrance Day be proclaimed as soon as possible.
It is our hope that Canada will stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality.
We are anxiously awaiting your response.

International Team of Experts of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada:
Professor Elie Wiesel, political activist, Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor
M. Cherif Bassiouni, Distinguished Research Professor of Law Emeritus, President Emeritus International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University, Chicago Illinois USA; President, International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences, Siracusa, Italy.
Prof. Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, former High Representative for the B&H
Professor Linda Melvern, investigative journalist and author
Mark Hanis, President of the Genocide Intervention Network
Francis Anthony Boyle, PhD, Professor of international law at the University of Illinois.
Tilman Zülch, Society for Threatened Peoples International , President, Göttingen, Germany
Greg Stanton, Chair, International Campaign to End Genocide
Carole Hodge, MA, LLM, PhD, Post Genocide Education Foundation
Payam Akhavan, PhD, — Professor of International Law at McGill University in Montreal, a former UN war crimes prosecutor at The Hague and co-founder of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre.
Daniel Kofman, PhD, - Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Ottawa
Safia Soliman, PhD Professor, Gloucester, UK.
Florence Hartmann, French journalist and author
Esad Durakovic, PhD, Professor, University of Sarajevo and Member Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Department of humanities.
David Pettigrew, PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Southern Connecticut State University, USA.
Bakhtyar Aljaf, Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zijad Becirovic, M.Sc., Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Dennis Gratz, Dr. Phil .Lecturer on “Genocide and Genocidal Atrocities in Theory and International Law” at the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies of the University of Sarajevo (CIPS) – ERMA program.
Maja Kasa, Professor, Osijek, Croatia.
Patrick McCarthy, Advisor to the current exhibit on genocide in Prijedor and co-authored a book about the Srebrenica genocide.
Marko Attila Hoare, PhD, Kingston University, London – a world renowned British historian of the Former Yugoslavia, UK.
Daniel Toljaga, Board of Directors at the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Vancouver, Canada.
Amir Ahmic, Bosniak liaison officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at the Hague, Netherlands.
Sakib Softic, PhD, Professor of Law, University of Sarajevo, former B&H agent in the dispute (Bosnia v Serbia) before the ICJ.
Nader Hashemi, Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics Josef Korbel School of International Studies; University of Denver CO, USA.
Sahza Hatibovic Kofman, D.D.S., M.D.Sc., PhD., FRCD(C) Associate Professor & Chair, University of Western Ontario, Canada.
Mirza Trokic, PhD, Department of Economics McGill University, Montreal QC Canada; University of Denver CO, USA.
Smail Cekic, PhD, Professor of History at the University Sarajevo and head of the Institute for the Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law.
Emir Zlatar, Mr, Director of Television Sarajevo.
Zijad Delic, PhD, head of the Islamic Congress Canada.
Senadin Lavic, PhD Professor, University, Sarajevo
Suad Arnautovic, PhD, Professor, University, Sarajevo
Ibrakovic Dzelal, PhD, Proffesor, University, Sarajevo
Dzemaludin Latic, PhD, Professor, University Sarajevo, B&H.
Sacir Filandra, PhD, Professor, University Sarajevo, B&H.
Lejla Panjeta, PhD, Professor, University of Sarajevo, B&H.
Alija Suljic, PhD, Professor, University of Tuzla, B&H.
Ferid Muhic, University professor, University “Sts.Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Sefket Krcic, PhD., University Professor, International University in Novi Pazar (Sanjak), President of Matica Bosniaks of Sanjak
Fatmir Alispahic, Mr. Sci., Tuzla, B&H.
Ante Milinovic, Mr. Sci. Zagreb, Croatia.
Goran Kapetanovic, Toronto, Canada.
Aldina Muslija, University of Toronto, Canada.
Zeljko Milicevic, President and Chairman, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa
Eno Causevic, Hamilton, Canada.
Emina Gadzo, University of Toronto, Department of Political Science.
Mersiha Gadzo, University of Toronto, Department of Political Science.
Sanja Seferovic Drnovsek, Director of the Bosnian-American Genocide Institute and Education Center
Emir Ramic, Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada

*****

Press release – Bosnian Community in Canada

The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch
The Institute for Research of Genocide Canada
Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa, Canada
Islamic Association of Bosniaks Canada

The year 2010 marks the 15th anniversary since the act of genocide took place in a small town in eastern Bosnia called Srebrenica. It also marks the 5th anniversary of lobby action by Canadian Bosniaks, who want Canada recognize this genocide as such, and to come aboard with the rest of the developed world in their pursuit of international commitment to justice and peace.

Today we are here to reiterate our commitment to the promise of Never Again Genocide, Never Again Concentration Camps and Never Again Mass Graves. We are here today to show that maintenance of this commitment is very important because these strong messages can actually save lives of those living in regions impacted by raging wars.

The truth that we want to say today, loud and clear, has been confirmed by many living and unfortunately many dead people. Experts from many renowned organizations, International courts and tribunals, survivors, witnesses, and exhumed remains from the mass graves all tell the same truth.

THAT IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE 10TH AND 14TH OF JULY 1995 IN THE REGION OF A SMALL TOWN IN EASTERN BOSNIA CALLED SREBRENICA, AT LEAST 8353 MEN AND BOYS WERE GRUSOMLY EXECUTED BY SERB FORCES, UNDER THE COMMAND OF GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, WAR CRIMINAL, STILL AT LARGE. LET US REMIND OURSELVES THAT SREBRENICA AT THAT TIME WAS A SAFE HAVEN PROCLAIMED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.

Bodies of these innocent people were then buried in multiple mass graves, which were subsequently, by using heavy machinery, moved again and buried in secondary mass graves in order to bury the truth too. Some bodies were dismantled in this process and the body parts of one person in some cases ended up in two, three or more different mass graves.

It has been confirmed by the International Tribunal in Hague, By the Senate of the USA, by the European Union Parliament, and by other counties, states and cities including the state of Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, city of Grand Rapids and the countries such as Croatia, Lithuania, and even Serbia and Monte Negro.
The Srebrenica genocide was a repeat of the dehumanizing genocidal practices seen during World War II. At Srebrenica, Bosniak men (some as young as fifteen years old) were separated from women and the elderly, and were never to be seen again — all under the eyes of the Western world. The images of the suffering were seen worldwide and somehow only managed to receive a juridical epilogue.

For the judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), there was no hesitation in the sentencing of Bosnian Serb General Radislav Krstić. He was sentenced to thirty-five years in jail for “aiding and abetting” the genocide at Srebrenica. This was a crime that was all the more heinous because it was carried out in spite of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 819, which had demanded that Srebrenica be treated as “a safe area which should be free from any armed attacks,” and that the Republika Srpska Army should withdraw “from the areas surrounding Srebrenica”.

In its Judgement in the Krstić case the Court stated that “The depravity, brutality and cruelty with which the Bosnian Serb Army … treated the innocent inhabitants of the safe area are now well known and documented. Bosnian women, children and elderly were removed from the enclave, and between 7,000 – 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men were systematically murdered”. The Court clarified that, “that Bosnian Serb forces carried out genocide against the Bosnian Muslims… They targeted for extinction the forty thousand Bosnian Muslims living in Srebrenica, a group which was emblematic of the Bosnian Muslims in general. They stripped all the male Muslim prisoners, military and civilian, elderly and young, of their personal belongings and identification, and deliberately and methodically killed them solely on the basis of their identity. The Bosnian Serb forces were aware, when they embarked on this genocidal venture, that the harm they caused would continue to plague the Bosnian Muslims”. The Court concluded that we must call “the massacre at Srebrenica by its proper name: genocide.”

Further, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Serbia “violated the obligation to prevent genocide, under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, in respect of the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica in July 1995”. Moreover, the ICJ found that Serbia “failed in its duty to co-operate fully with the ICTY,” to bring about, for example, the capture of the accused war criminal Ratko Mladić. Serbia should be held responsible for failing to take all measures to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.

International Law emphasizes that genocide is a crime against humanity, and this convention applies to the brutalities perpetrated against the Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995. The Parliament of the European Union and the Parliament of many European countries as well as the American Congress and the Senate have adopted resolutions on the Bosnian and Srebrenica Genocide. What happened in Srebrenica and in the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 is an example of crimes prohibited under International Humanitarian Law and for that reason it cannot be forgotten. As the Court stated in the Krstić Judgement: “This is a crime against all of humankind, its harm being felt not only by the group targeted for destruction, but by all of humanity”.

The question is: What is Canada waiting for?
Honourable Brian Masse, MP for Windsor West was the first MP to answer to the request of the Bosnian-Canadian Community and he finally embodied our efforts to have Canada pass a motion recognizing, confirming and commemorating the Srebrenica genocide through a Srebrenica Remembrance Day. During the past year a motion has been drafted and introduced as m-416; followed by numerous letters to all MP’s, to office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Honourable Lawrence Cannon and to the office of Honorable Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Mr. Masse’s commitment to the greater good and justice reached it’s peak, when during the negotiations he agreed to give the motion (final version agreed upon by all parties) to Mr. Cannon. However, a sudden change of hearts is jeopardizing the passage of this motion just days before the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica. Neither Mr. Masse nor the Bosnian community ever received any explanation or the rationale behind this decision.

Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch, Institute for the research of Genocide, Canada, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa, Canada, and Islamic Association of Bosniak Canada in the name of 50 000 Bosnians now living in Canada are anxiously awaiting the decision of Canadian Government. We are here to help Canada get abreast with the rest of the International Powers who already passed similar resolutions.

We like to inform Canadian public that in a letter to members of the Canadian Parliament from more than 20 most important experts in the world says: “We, Members of the International Team of Experts of the Institute for the Research of Genocide Canada express support for Motion M – 416 on Genocide in Srebrenica. On August 29, 2009, MP Brian Masse introduced the Motion that was sponsored by Mr. Brian Masse, MP, and seconded by Mr. Bill Siksay, MP, and Ms. Chris Charlton, MP. The Motion has support from the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, Blok Quebecois, Green Party of Canada, the Islamic and Jewish Congress of Canada, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, the Congress of North American Bosniaks and many organizations for the protection of human rights and freedom in Canada and in the world. We ask that the Canadian Government pass (proclaim) motion M-416 as originally introduced by Mr. Brian Masse. We ask that it be passed in the latest negotiated version and that Srebrenica Remembrance Day be proclaimed as soon as possible. It is our hope that Canada will stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality. We are anxiously awaiting your response”.

We are sending a direct message for Mr. Harper to remember Canada’s Commitment to G-8 and G-20, to remember Canada’s commitment to the Organization of United Nations, to remember Canada’s commitment to the Peace Implementation Council, an international body charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina, to remember the Canadian soldiers who have fallen in Bosnia and to remember the victims and survivors of this massacre, and to answer the simple question: is Canada ready to be a leader once again and truly be the best country to live in for many great Canadians?

Motion M-416
That, in the opinion of the House, the day of July 11 should be recognized as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in memorial of the Srebrenica Massacre of July of 1995, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak civilians were executed under the policy of ethnic cleansing, declared an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and 30,000 others were expelled from their homes by Serbian forces.
It is our hope that Canada will have its representative in Srebrenica on July 11th to stand proud of its long history of peacekeeping and its tolerance oriented national mentality.

Professor Emir Ramic, President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada
Zeljko Milicevic, President and Chairman, Justice for Bosnia Task Force, Ottawa.
Tajib Pasanbegovic, Head Imam Bosniak – Canadian Community

*****
Press Release – Brian Masse, MP

MPs DEMAND HARPER RECOGNIZE THE SREBRENICA GENOCIDE

PM must join the world community and his Foreign Affairs Minister and pass the motion

Brian Masse, MP Poslušajte reportažu o rezoluciji Srebenici na radio Canadi, gost u emisiji je Brian Masse. Samo kliknite na link i onda na listen. 25 minuta traje. Posaljite i drugima sa vaseg adresara. Please listen to an interview about Srebrenica resolution in Canadian parliament. In the second part, guest over the phone is Mr Brian Masse from Windsor. Click on link below and then on tab 'listen". It's 25 minutes long. Kliknite OVDJE

OTTAWA - Today, NDP MP Brian Masse (Windsor West), along with Emir Ramic, President of the Congress of North American Bosniaks, Dr. Zijad Delic, National Director of the Islamic Congress of Canada, and other leaders from the Canadian Bosniak community and a survivor of the Srebrenica Genocide, were joined by Liberal MP Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West) and Bloc MP Francine Lalonde (La Pointe-de-l'Île), to demand the Prime Minister rescind his veto of a House of Commons motion, agreed to by the Foreign Affairs Minister’s office and all opposition parties, which recognizes the Srebrenica genocide with a Remembrance Day.

“This is an embarrassment and shameful. As the only western country to have not passed a motion or resolution recognizing the Srebrenica genocide, the Prime Minister has diminished Canada’s position in the world on the eve of the G-8 and G-20 Summits,” Masse stated. “What is humiliating and outrageous is the Prime Minister has vetoed what his own Foreign Affairs Minister agreed to. Even the Serbian parliament has passed a resolution. This is appalling.”

After the fall of Srebrenica on July 11th, 1995, Bosnian Serb forces, commanded by General Ratko Mladic (an indicted war criminal), and paramilitary units rapidly executed more than 8,000 Bosniak (Muslim) men, boys, and seniors, who had sought safety in the area. Moreover, approximately 30,000 people were forcibly deported in a UN-assisted ethnic cleansing. The European Parliament resolution referred to the Srebrenica Massacre as “the biggest war crime in Europe since the end of WWII.” This atrocity has been declared an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice.

The U.S. House, U.S. Senate and the European Parliament have all passed resolutions or motions that use the word genocide to describe the Srebrenica Massacre, which is the only event during the war in Bosnia (1992-1995) to have been declared a genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Zeljko Milicevic, Chair of Justice for Bosnia Task Force, said that “we are upset to see a country such as Canada deny the acknowledgement of the worst human rights abuses in Europe since the Holocaust. Lejla Handanovic, speaking on behalf of the victims, declared, “many people in Canada are not aware of the events that took place in Srebrenica....having this resolution will help raise awareness of the genocide and let us actually put meaning to the words, ‘Never again.’”

“Canada participated in peacekeeping in Bosnia as well as the international legal proceedings to bring justice to the victims. The Prime Minister’s veto is an abandonment our proud past for this present embarrassment and shame,” Masse stated.

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Statements:

Emir Ramic:
The Congress of North American Bosniaks, Canadian Branch and the Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada in the name of more than 50.000 Canadian Bosniaks seek clarification from the Government of Canada: what is the government’s explanation for its refusal to not recognize as a genocide, the murder of more than 8000 Bosniak civilians by Serbian foreces and the displacement of more than 25.000 other civilians in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Will the government revisit its decision with respect to recognizing the events as a genocide, if is so, has it put in place plans to meet with memebres of the Canadian Bosniaks?

Dr. Zijad Delic:
It is an honor to speak on behalf of more than 1 million Canadian Muslims – as well as about 50,000 Bosniaks and many other Canadians who support Resolution M-416.

In its procedural discussion on Resolution M-416, as put forward by the Hon. Brian Masse MP, the Parliament of Canada listened with respect to the collective voice of victims from one of the most heinous human atrocities ever to take place in post-War Europe – the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Canadian parliamentarians have acknowledged these victims by hearing the voice of those who have spoken up as friends of truth and justice; the voice of Canadians supporting Bosniaks who chose this great country as their second homeland and who now legitimately ask for the right to commemorate victims of the Srebrenica genocide. They ask this not for the sake of revenge, but rather for the sake of our collective memory, so that such acts of genocide are never repeated, anywhere.

Canadian Bosniaks ask that the Conservative party of Canada, the Canadian government and the Hon. Stephen Harper our Prime Minister, accept the voice of those victims, the voice of Canada’s Bosniaks, and the majority voices of Canadian MPs and accept Resolution M-416. By this acceptance, all Canadians will share on each July 11 the annual opportunity to observe a day of remembrance for the victims of genocide in Srebrenica.

Genocide is the most abhorrent and egregious form of aggression against humanity and civilization. It is defined, coded, and sanctioned in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ), the permanent court dealing with affairs between nations, holds primary jurisdiction in cases of Genocide.

In 1993, the ICJ issued two orders: first, an order to Serbia/Montenegro to stop aggression and genocide in Bosnia; and, secondly, through the UN Security Council (under authority of Chapter VII) to prevent war aggression and Genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina according to the collective obligation of all in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide.

Both of these ICJ orders were disregarded, or those who were supposed to follow them held them in contempt; as a result, war aggression and genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina continued.

Genocide in Srebrenica and Bosnia-Herzegovina was proven in both decisions of the International Court of The Hague. As a democratic country, as a member of the Council for the Implementation of Peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and as our new homeland, we feel Canada is obliged to afford its citizens annually on July 11 an occasion on which to honorably commemorate a day of remembrance for the victims of Genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Today, here on Parliament Hill, we strongly urge the Canadian government and Prime Minister Harper to support Resolution M-416 so that we may all honor the sacrifice of more than 8000 innocent victims of the genocide committed in Srebrenica.

Mr. Harper; by passing Mr. Masse’s resolution, your government will benefit Canada in many ways:

a) Canada’s international image will again be respected as it was in the past;
b) Canada will send a clear message to all abusers of power that we will always stand for peace through justice;
c) Canada will serve as a model and mentor to other countries to follow its path in acknowledging the genocide of innocent Bosnians; and
d) Canada will give hope to those whose hope was taken from them.

These are only a few reasons why so many Canadians of conscience support MP Brian Masse in sponsoring his historic resolution on the Bosnia and Herzegovina genocides.

Furthermore, we believe Canadians should support it so that this human tragedy is never forgotten; so that people can live peacefully together, without fear that what happened to so many Bosniaks could ever happen again to any of us.

*****

Zeljko Milicevic:
PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE OUGHT TO APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL
Genocide was perpetrated against Bosniaks, the indigenous Muslims of Europe, in the 1992-1995 period of time, just as it was committed several times during the Second World War, as well as several times in some three previous centuries. While the previous genocides have been conveniently swept under the rug of the collective memory, the most recent Genocide in Srebrenica has not, will not and must not be forgotten as it was committed before the eyes of the enlightened, modern and civilized international society, in the 20th century Europe.

This latest, and hopefully the last genocide against Bosniaks, and the last genocide against any ethnic or national group anywhere, was well documented, judged upon and identified as “Genocide” by the two most eminent judicial institutions in the world, The International Court of Justice and The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

If we are to have a clear separation between the judicial and legislative branches, which ought to be a common principle, then those verdicts stipulate that it is not incumbent upon any parliamentary body, or any other institution of governance anywhere, to dispute, disregard or oppose rulings of those or other courts, as in doing so would position a parliamentary body, or a government, to be in contravention of due process. Since due process, as means of managing an orderly and just society, flows from the legislative branch, a denial of such judicial decision would mean a denial of the own raison d’être of such legislative branch.

Parliaments of a great number of developed democracies have adopted resolutions of commemorating the day of 11th of July as a day of remembrance of the victims of the utmost crime against humanity, the crime of Genocide, committed against Bosniaks in Srebrenica.

Canada is a member of the Peace Implementation Corps and is currently found wanting for failing to adopt such parliamentary resolution, which would put it on par with other developed democracies.

The motion to recognize the day of 11th of July as the day of remembrance of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide has support of three political parties in Canada’s Parliament. We seek that the Conservative Party lend its support in a parliamentary vote for this Motion so as to prompt the Government of Canada to officially proclaim the day of 11th of July as the day of remembrance of the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.

In closing, allow me to state that, in addition to the judicial rulings with respect to the fact of genocide having been perpetrated against Bosniaks, there exists substantial body of documentation in the public domain detailing the wanton destruction, by Christians, of Islamic religious objects in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1992-1995 period of time. It includes some 700 mosques, some 500 masjids, or, say, smaller mosques, some 500 maqtabs, or schools of prayer, some 300 madrassas, or religious schools, some 300 tekkes, or Dervish lodges, and about 90% of Islamic burial sites and shrines, all destroyed or damaged beyond use. Soccer fields and agricultural land s were turned into mezars, or Islamic burial sites. This was, indeed, genocide perpetrated by Christians against Muslims. This was also the first time in the history of humanity that genocide against Muslims was judicially declared as such. The historic judicial rulings and ensuing parliamentary resolutions with respect to this genocide point to the existence of enlightenment and commitment to the principles of truth and justice in the broader society.

It is about time for that enlightenment and commitment to truth and justice to reach into the Chambers of Parliament of Canada. And this is coming to you from a Christian.

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Lejla Handanovic:
For the last five years individuals in the Bosniak community throughout Canada have been attempting to make July 11th Srebrenica Remembrance day so the world’s mistake would not be repeated for the third time. In the last year we have been honored to have MP Brian Massey take bill M-416 to the parliament and we see this as great success thus far. Unfortunately Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party’s decision to only vote on this bill if the word “genocide” is taken out has stalled our progress and upset the community of 50,000 Canadian Bosniaks.

During the 1992-1995 aggression the 50,000 current Canadian Bosniaks were either caught in the conflict or were in Canada watching helplessly as innocent people’s fate fell into Serb’s hands. Today all of us living in Canada, from a child to the grandparent carry the scars of the aggression and this genocide with us. Fifteen years later as we fight to keep the memory of all those who lost their lives for no reason alive, we are faced with the challenge to do this because Mr. Stephen Harper and his Conservatives will only vote for bill M-416 if the word “genocide” is taken out. How can we take out the word genocide when genocide is exactly what happened in July of 1995 in the Bosnian town Srebrenca, which was also declared a “safe area” by the United Nations. To add as a reminder, United Nations, The Hague and the ICTY have declared the massacres that took place in Srebrenica: Genocide. As a result countries worldwide see this as a genocide and the European Union and the United States even passed resolutions, making July 11th Srebrenica Remembrance Day. We are deeply upset to see a democratically prominent country such as Canada denying the acknowledgement of the worse human rights abuses that happened in Europe after the Holocaust and we want nothing more but to see the ORIGINAL resolution that was submitted with the word GENOCIDE in it passed in the Parliament. This would not only benefit the Canadian Bosniaks but also show the world that Canada does not and will not tolerate any form of brutalities on an innocent population.

This resolution is the most important document for the Bosniaks in Canada at this moment because Canada would formally acknowledge the brutalities that took place not only in 1995 but throughout the whole war and let all peoples in Canada know about the unjust events that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore this will give us more credibility to educate all future generations both of Bosnian descent and all others about this genocide and human rights abuses. Through education we can help continue the promise of “never again”. We can also learn from the past and fight to never let Srebrenica happen anywhere else.

Many people in Canada are not aware of the events that took place between 1992-1995 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, let alone what happened in Srebrenica. It seems as if we must remind you that more than 8,000 men and young boys were massacred by the army of Republika Srpska, women were raped and tortured, people were forced out of their homes and to this day there are mass graves in and around Srebrenica. There are still mothers, wives and sisters who do not know the whereabouts of their husbands, brothers and sons. It is unacceptable for Canada to hide these facts and having this resolution will help us raise more awareness.

We also need to point out that Canada has acknowledged the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide and the Rwanda genocide (just to name a few). Same exact things have happened in these genocides, why is Stephen Harper so imminent on taking out the word “genocide” out of this resolution when international institutions have accepted it.

By denying us a formal day to pay our respects to all the victims that lost their lives and for all of us still suffering, Canada is only adding to our pain and helping history repeat itself. We have made Canada our home because this is a place where equality is important and democracy is a right provided for all. As Canadian citizens we stand together and ask of you to keep the equality going by making July 11th Srebrenica Remembrance Day. By denying us this right, you are going against Canada’s values and ignoring the principles of human rights. Catastrophic mistakes have been made before because politicians play with people’s fates and as history proves, people do not learn from their mistakes. This must be stopped and we need this day to raise awareness and help prevent future genocides in Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere. Don’t just let “never again” be words on a paper, lets actually make “never again” never again.

*****

Tajib Pasanbegovic:
I was appalled and saddened at the same time to hear that the Conservative MP's are not willing to support the motion with the word "genocide" in it.
Canada, the country with the reputation of a champion of democracy, freedom, justice and for decades rarely strong voice for the oppressed people of the world, is not ready to accept what the International Court has ruled regarding the most grusome crimes committed by Serbs upon the innocent Bosnian muslims in Srebrenica. Unbeliveable! What has happened to this country's image, to our foreign policy? Where is our goverenment's fearness?

Numerous countries, beginning with USA, have adopted Resolution on Srebrenica a long time ago. Canada has stayed back, ignoring the most atrocious crime committed in Europe after the holocaust, and thus enormously damaging its image in the world.

Apparently, that was not bad enough to our felow Conservatives, who are now ready to reject what the world has accepted: that the Serbian crimess in Srebrenica amount to no less than the most henious and brutal genocide.

As a human before anything, and as a Canadian Bosnian, I am stating that any attempt to reduce the magnitude of the crime in Srebrenica to anything lower and other than genocide is a humilliating insult to over 8 thousand Srebrenica victims, their families, to the Bosnians, to the Canadians and the whole free world. Therefore, if our parliamentarians are not ready to adopt a decent Resolution, then they should spare us of just any resolution. Let that remain on the record.

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Senad Alicehajic:
Bosniaks, regardless of which city in Bosnia they were born in, and regardless of where they live now, always carry a mark on their hearts that says Srebrenica. This mark is a painful memory of Srebrenica genocide and a deep disappointment in the slow coming justice. Moreover, in some cases the re-victimization, denial of events or counter blame deepens these emotions and brings disgust to their spirits. Our hope is that the strange destiny that brought us to Canada will prove to be a great epiphany and bring the trust back. This trust is the one that democratic societies, such as Canada, value the truth and righteousness, without special treatments and interests of any particular group, but rather the equality and justice for all.