The United Nations General Assembly voted today to adopt a resolution designating July 11 as the Day of Remembrance of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, to be commemorated annually.
The resolution, introduced by Germany and Rwanda, was adopted by 84 votes to 19, with 63 countries abstaining, including Greece.
The resolution also condemned “all forms of denial” of the genocide and called on UN member states to “protect the truth”. In line with the resolution, the first commemoration will take place on July 11, 2024.
The proposal to establish an annual commemoration of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica, in which Serbian forces killed nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys, was drafted by Germany and Rwanda, both of which are known for genocide in the 20th century.
In a letter to UN member states on the draft resolution, Germany and Rwanda stressed that the vote was “a crucial opportunity to unite to honor the victims and recognize the important role played by international tribunals.”
