WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.
“This July, we solemnly mark the 20th anniversary of the worst crime against humanity committed on European soil since the Second World War. The 1995 mass murder of more than 8,000 in Srebrenica is as universally unconscionable today as it was two decades ago. The victims were not casualties of war. Rather, they were victims of a crime inspired by ignorance and hate, contrary to the most basic tenants of human morality.
“What happened at Srebrenica was genocide. To deny that is to deny history. Such a denial plays into the hands of the perpetrators and collaborators who tried to hide their heinous crimes from the world.
“As Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, I hope that those in the region will redouble their efforts to bring those responsible for the massacre to justice. The United States will continue to honor the victims of Srebrenica and stand with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their efforts to become a nation united in peace and respect for all its citizens.
“Today we remember the victims humanity lost at Srebrenica, as well as all the victims of ethnic cleansing across time. The international community must speak with a united voice and move with swift action to ensure these crimes never happen again.”
Senator Cardin introduced S. RES. 211, a resolution observing the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and expressing support for further reconciliation and accountability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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