On the 25th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 9, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
The United States joins the other participating States who have spoken today, marking the 25th anniversary, a generation, since the Srebrenica genocide. We Americans join with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in mourning the more than 8,000 innocent lives massacred in Srebrenica in 1995.
We should all remember that these events took place here, amongst us, among our neighbours, who are members of the OSCE. And we should be diligent that this can never happen again, in the community that is represented by this organization.
The horrific genocide reminds us that we at the OSCE must strive for a stable and prosperous future for all participating States and their inhabitants, regardless of race or religion. We must condemn hatred, address tensions before they erupt, and work together to prevent or work for peaceful resolution of conflict. We have got to work together to ensure the horrors of Srebrenica can never occur again in our region.
The United States has been proud to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress as it has emerged from this conflict and taken its place as an independent, sovereign OSCE participating State committed to a democratic and peaceful future.
The United States stands with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will not forget your fallen and we remain steadfast in our partnership to bring enduring stability and prosperity to your country.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
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