Prishtina, 10 July, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the commemorative event of the genocide in Srebrenica, organized in the hall of the Institute of History. In his speech, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, he expressed solidarity and full support for the Bosnian people.
“29 years ago, in the small town of Srebrenica, one of the greatest horrors of genocide in Europe was committed. 8372 Bosniak men and boys were brutally, systematically killed. This crime left open wounds for thousands of Bosnian families, as it left open wounds in the conscience of humanity. Therefore, every anniversary is a renewed pain, not only for the Bosnian people, but also for us, the people of Kosovo, who experienced the horrors of war 25 years ago.” said Prime Minister Kurti.
Furthermore, he added that the massacre in Srebrenica was also a warning for Serbia’s genocidal project in Kosovo, where from 1998 to 1999, over 13 thousand Kosovo Albanians were killed, over 1 million were expelled from their homes, close to 1600 are still missing and about 20 thousand women and girls, but also men and boys, are survivors of sexual rape.
The Prime Minister recalled that today the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has announced July 11 as a Memorial Day in commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide, adding that: “The genocide in Srebrenica reminds us of our common wounds, wounds that are still fresh, as are still the hundreds of graves of the void. We inevitably remember the Chetnik ideology that was used by Serbia in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. The infamous “Scorpions” unit that participated in the Srebrenica massacre is the same one that also carried out massacres in Kosovo. Among them, the massacre of the family of our Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Saranda Bogujevci, whose 16 family members were killed, while she survived 16 bullets in her body when she was not even 14 years old.”
He underlined that while continuing the denial of genocide and the glorification of violence, the political descendants of Milosevic, who led Serbia, are reviving their expansionist ambitions towards Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. “Therefore, for the victims and for the survivors who killed their dearest, we cannot forget. In the name of justice, peace, reconciliation, and preserving the truth, we must remember.” the prime minister finished his speech.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Saranda Bogujevci, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear Ms. Emilija Rexhepi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo for Minority Affairs and Human Rights,
Dear Ministers of our Government, Rozeta Hajdari, Nenad Rashiq and Elbert Krasniqi,
The honorable Mr. Šemsudin Mehmedović, Member of Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
The honorable Mr. Mensur Bektic, artist and professor of filigree, author of the Srebrenica flower, symbol of the genocide in Srebrenica,
Dear Members of the Assembly of the Republic and Deputy Ministers of our Government,
Dear mayors of the municipalities of Pristina and northern Mitrovica, Përparim Rama and Erden Atiq,
Dear Professor Nexhmedin Spahiu,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora who recently joined us, Mrs. Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz,
Excellencies ambassadors and other diplomats of friendly countries accredited in the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear representatives of civil society organizations,
Dear participants,
Ladies and gentleman,
Dame i gospo, dear friend,
29 years ago, in the small town of Srebrenica, one of the greatest horrors of genocide in Europe was committed. 8372 Bosniak men and boys were brutally, systematically killed.
This crime left open wounds for thousands of Bosnian families, as it left open wounds in the conscience of humanity. Therefore, every anniversary is a renewed pain, not only for the Bosnian people, but also for us, the people of Kosovo, who experienced the horrors of war 25 years ago.
The massacre in Srebrenica, in addition to being evidence of the terror of the Milosevic regime in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was also a warning of Serbia’s genocidal project in Kosovo. From 1998 to 1999, over 13 thousand Kosovar Albanians were killed, and over 1 million were expelled from their homes, nearly 1600 are still missing and about 20 thousand women and girls but also men and boys, we have survivors of sexual assault. Through these acts of violence and ethnic cleansing, it was intended to eradicate our people from their ancestral lands.
Therefore, recognizing the suffering of the Bosnian people, based on the resolution of the Assembly of Kosovo, that of the European Parliament and recently of the UN General Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has announced today July 11 as a Memorial Day in commemoration of the genocide of Srebrenica.
The genocide in Srebrenica reminds us of our common wounds, wounds that are still raw, as are hundreds of empty graves. We inevitably remember the Chetnik ideology that was used by Serbia in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. The infamous “Scorpions” unit that participated in the Srebrenica massacre is the same one that also carried out massacres in Kosovo. Among them, the massacre of the family of our Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Saranda Bogujevci, whose 16 family members were killed, while she survived 16 bullets in her body when she was not even 14 years old.
Therefore, as we remember the victims of Srebrenica, we also remember the strength of those who survived. Mothers who, despite their indescribable pain, have found the strength to seek justice and keep the memory of their sons alive.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, I express our full solidarity and support for the Bosnian people. Our pain is shared, as is our strength to carry on. On truth and justice, we are building strong and stable foundations of equality between individuals and peace between peoples, to leave a legacy for future generations.
Dear attendees,
Although the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia defined the crime in Srebrenica as genocide, and the International Court of Justice confirmed the genocide in Srebrenica, Serbia was never held responsible. While families still search for the remains of their loved ones, Serbia refuses to apologize or even acknowledge its genocidal past.
Therefore, there is no more important time than now to remember the victims of Srebrenica. As the denial of the genocide and the glorification of violence continues, the political descendants of Milosevic, who led Serbia, revive their expansionist ambitions towards Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
Therefore, for the victims and for the survivors who killed their dearest, we cannot forget. In the name of justice, peace, reconciliation, and preserving the truth, we must remember.
Glory be to the victims of genocide in Srebrenica. Neka njuha svrata nikada ne bude zaboravljena.
Glory to the victims of Srebrenica and all the victims of the wars in the Balkans!
Thank you.
Last modified: July 11, 2024