The “Flower of Srebrenica” monument unveiled in Vienna

The “Flower of Srebrenica” monument was unveiled on October 24 at United Nations Square in Vienna in memory of the victims of the July 1995 genocide.

The monument was erected by the Association of Bosnian Associations in Austria “Consilium Bosniacum” and was described as symbolizing memory, truth, and a warning to humanity.

The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, said in Vienna that the judicially established truth about the genocide and crimes against humanity is now known throughout the world.

“The crime of genocide in Srebrenica has also become a historical precedent in Bosnian history, as it was the first documented and institutionally recorded attempt to exterminate a people on such a scale. The role and assistance of the United Nations Court in all this has been enormous,” Komšić said.

He emphasized that “the dark side of the UN’s role in the genocide in Srebrenica” should not be forgotten.

“By declaring Srebrenica an area under its protection and by declaring demilitarization, which in practice meant only the disarmament of members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina and not members of the Army of Republika Srpska, the UN enabled the genocidal operation to be carried out in July 1995,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended by BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, who stressed that the culture of remembrance must be present throughout the year, all over the world, and not only on the anniversary of the genocide, July 11.

He warned against the denial of convicted crimes, the glorification of war criminals, and the spread of hatred, stressing that this represents not only moral decay but also a threat to the security and stability of European society.

In the genocide in Srebrenica, committed by the Army of Republika Srpska in July 1995, more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed.

In addition to the 2007 ruling by the International Court in The Hague, which confirmed the genocide in Srebrenica, the Hague Tribunal convicted 16 individuals for crimes committed in the area under United Nations protection, seven of whom were convicted of genocide.

Three decades after the genocide, more than 50 individuals have been sentenced to approximately 780 years in prison by the court, as well as by courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.

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