The UN Vote on Srebrenica and its Context

Twenty-eight years after the massacre, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution unequivocally condemning the atrocities of Srebrenica and instating 11 July as the “International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica”. The background: In July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces captured the town of Srebrenica, killing thousands of Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys. With Srebrenica’s population only consisting of about 32,000 people in 1995, over 25% of the population was killed. The systematic executions took place in Srebrenica and its surrounding areas. Bosniak men and boys were the targets of these mass executions, but women and girls were not spared from the horrors. The youngest victim of Srebrenica was a girl named Fatima Muhić, who died at two days old.

A Turning Point?

The UNGA vote marked a critical step in the global community’s reckoning with a dark event in Europe’s recent history. While the resolution cannot undo the irreparable harm inflicted on the Bosniak people, it does offer a glimmer of hope for justice and reconciliation. The Srebrenica genocide is a stark indictment of the international community’s failure to prevent atrocities. Despite designating the region a “safe area,” the UN failed to protect its civilian population at the time. The systematic extermination of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys stands as a haunting testament to this collective failure.

Lasting Effects of the Massacre

Beyond the immediate loss of life, the Srebrenica genocide had far-reaching consequences. The emotional impact took a toll on survivors and can still be felt today. Countless fathers, brothers, and sons were killed during the event. Many of those who were not killed fled and hoped to find refuge in the town of Tuzla, triggering a humanitarian crisis. Severe psychological trauma is common among those who were at Srebrenica, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and survivor’s guilt. Innumerable civilians were not only affected as individuals but as members of the community as a whole, with grief felt by virtually everyone.

Ethnic Homogeneity

Why exactly the Bosnian Serb forces chose to target boys and men may seem unclear, as there are layers to this discussion. Bosnian Serb forces wanted to create “ethnically homogeneous territories.” Srebrenica’s large population of Bosniaks did not align with that vision. The Serb forces therefore tried to exterminate the Muslim population in order to implement their religion of choice, Orthodox Christianity. To justify the continuous attacks on Bosniaks, propaganda was developed and perpetuated that reflected poorly on the Bosniak community.

Failure of the International Community

While responsibility for the atrocities of Srebrenica falls on the Bosnian Serb forces and their political leaders the international community also failed Srebrenica. Although Srebrenica had previously been declared a UN Safe Area, the lack of military forces, lack of a strong intervention mandate, and a lack of resources ultimately led to its downfall. The United Nations Security Council was slow when it came to responding to the crisis in Bosnia & Herzegovina. This lack of urgency led to delays in authorising military action and intervention. The citizens of Srebrenica were not only being killed and tortured, they were also having their basic human rights violated, including the Right to Life, Right to Security of Person, Right to Liberty, Right to a Fair Trial, and Right to Freedom from Discrimination.

Lessons in Remembrance

As of 2024, a day of Remembrance has been instituted on 11 July to reflect on and commemorate the genocide in Srebrenica. It took nearly thirty years for the UN to adopt this resolution. It has been agreed upon despite various abstentions and votes against the measure. The goal of the Day of Remembrance is to acknowledge the loss and suffering experienced in Srebrenica and to continue to respect and recognise the families who were affected by the events. Its goal also is to prevent future massacres, for which the atrocities of the past must be acknowledged.

Some countries, such as Serbia and Russia, voted against this Day of Remembrance. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik denied Srebrenica in its entirety saying, “There was no genocide in Srebrenica.” By denying what happened, figures like Dodik can continue idolising the perpetrators of these acts as heroes, rather than as criminals. These acts of denial undermine justice by preventing recognition and accountability, as well as revictimise the citizens of Srebrenica by invalidating the pain and losses they experienced.

Honouring the Past, Healing for the Future

Commemoration and education are essential in preserving the memory of Srebrenica and preventing such atrocities from happening again. Organisations such as Remembering Srebrenica educate people about Srebrenica, ensuring that the events are kept in the public spotlight, as well as understood, and respected by future generations. Similarly, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is an intergovernmental organisation that addresses missing person cases resulting from armed conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organised crime, and other causes. The ICMP aims to identify missing people using advanced forensic techniques, as well as provide support to the families of missing people. The organisation has been involved in the exhumation of mass graves where victims of Srebrenica had been buried.

Lesson Learned

Srebrenica stands as one of the most tragic events in recent European history, offering profound lessons for the international community. The UN’s failure to protect the self-designated “safe area” underscored the urgent need for robust peacekeeping forces and resources. In response, the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine was adopted in 2005, obligating states to shield populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, with the international community committed to intervention when necessary. Srebrenica tragically highlighted the importance of early action to prevent such horrors from escalating. While numerous critical lessons emerged, the paramount one remains the imperative of honouring the victims and their lives.