Canadian Cities Expand Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance

The city of Toronto has declared July 11th as Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Day. Mayor Olivia Chow made this decision on the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Toronto is Canada's largest city. Mayor Chow's proclamation highlighted the importance of remembering genocide victims. She recognized the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community in Toronto for their work on remembrance. This work helps the city's community life. Toronto aims to fight racism, discrimination, xenophobia, hatred, and intolerance.

Canada's Parliament recognized July 11th as Srebrenica Memorial Day in 2010. Provincial and territorial parliaments also passed resolutions on the Srebrenica genocide. A monument for Srebrenica victims is in Windsor. More monuments are planned for Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Vancouver. Canadian schools now teach about the Srebrenica genocide.

This year, mayors from Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Calgary, Ottawa, Windsor, and Edmonton made similar proclamations. They declared July 11th as Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Day. In Hamilton, students formed a Srebrenica Flower with their bodies. Hamilton's electronic symbol uses the Srebrenica Flower colors. A sign outside Hamilton City Hall states "July11 Srebrenica Memorial Day." The clock tower at Mississauga Civic Centre was lit in blue and yellow on July 11th. Mississauga marks this day yearly to honor the 1995 victims. The city does this to oppose hate and support human rights. Blue and yellow are the colors of the Bosnia and Herzegovina flag.

Memorial events happen across Canada. The main Canadian commemoration is held in Windsor. It takes place in front of the first Srebrenica monument outside of Bosnia. For the 31st anniversary, a delegation from the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada visited several mayors. They thanked them for supporting the remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide.

The Institute states that knowing the truth is not enough. We must live and defend it. In Canada, children learn the truth about Srebrenica. This teaches them to tell truth from lies and justice from injustice. A people who teach their children to keep the truth safe secure their future. Preserving the truth about Bosnia and Herzegovina means preserving the nation and its people's dignity. The truth is a trust for all humanity.