EU reiterates call against denial of genocide in Srebrenica

Responding to the High Representative's decision in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to deny genocide to be punishable, the European Union has reiterated the call for genocide in Srebrenica not to be denied.

The EU has also demanded that political leaders refrain from stimulating rhetoric.

We have received the adoption of the Law against denying genocide. This is a decision by the high representative (Valentin) Inzko. We want to be clear: revisionism and denial of genocide are against European fundamental values”, an EU spokesman has said.

The same has said reconciliation is one of the main priorities Bosnia and Herzegovina must meet in order to move on the road to the EU.

“The EU has been clear in its expectations in this direction, recently also in the joint statement of High Representative (Josep) Borrell and Commissioner (Oliver) Varhelyi, who have issued the 26th anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica”, this spokesman has said.

Borrell and Varhely, in that statement, had said that there is no room in Europe for denial of genocide and that efforts to relativise or deny genocide, or rewrite history, are unacceptable.

“The EU expects leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act sovereignly and take concrete steps to promote a suitable space for reconciliation in order to overcome the legacy of war”, the EU spokesman's response said.

The same is repeated that the EU is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

“The EU strongly urges all political leaders to refrain from using divisive and stimulating rhetoric and refrain from taking steps that could undermine the European perspective of this state”, the EU spokesman has said.

Despite constant calls not to deny genocide in Srebrenica, Serbia, as well as Serb and pro-Serbian parties in neighbouring countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro, continue to deny this genome