Genocide Victim Associations Condemn Questioning of Srebrenica Memorial Center Staff

Several associations representing genocide victims have sent a strong protest letter to top judicial and international officials. They expressed serious concern over local police and prosecutors questioning 26 current and former staff members of the Srebrenica Memorial Center. The action by the Zvornik Police Department and the Bijeljina Public Prosecutor's Office came soon after the Memorial Center released its annual report on the denial of the Srebrenica genocide. The associations fear this large-scale questioning is institutional pressure to intimidate those who work to preserve the truth.

The Srebrenica Memorial Center is a state institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its legal duties include remembering genocide victims, collecting historical records, and protecting facts established by court rulings. The associations argue that any attempt to scare its staff is a serious attack on this institution and its mission. They reminded officials that the United Nations General Assembly recently declared July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide, calling on countries to educate about the genocide and fight denial. The Memorial Center performs these exact duties.

The victim associations stressed that the Center's archives and research are vital to international justice. Protecting this legacy is a shared responsibility of domestic and international bodies. They demand that the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VSTV BiH) immediately investigate if the Bijeljina Prosecutor's actions were legal and justified. They also called on the President and Chief Prosecutor of the MICT, Graciela Gatti Santana and Serge Brammertz, to closely monitor the case. The associations urged the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina to seek a full explanation for these police and judicial actions and ensure they do not harm the Center's work or the safety of the Srebrenica returnee community. They also requested an investigation into any illegal sharing of staff's personal data.

The associations affirmed their commitment to the rule of law but vowed to strongly oppose any misuse of power that threatens genocide survivors, witnesses, researchers, or institutions upholding the truth. They underlined that preserving the truth about the genocide, protecting victims' dignity, and preventing denial are constitutional duties of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They insist that no one performing these duties lawfully should face pressure.