United Nations

NEW YORK, 13 July (UN Headquarters) -- Five years after the fall of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Security Council this morning paid tribute to the victims of one of the worst civilian massacres in Europe since the end of the Second World War.

In a statement read out by its President, Patricia Durrant (Jamaica), the Council noted that, in the week after the fall of Srebrenica, in a United Nations- designated safe area, thousands of innocent civilians were murdered, and thousands of others forcibly relocated as a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing. 

The tragic events at Srebrenica must not be forgotten, the Council stressed, recalling its resolve to ensure that justice was carried out fully through the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and that such crimes are not repeated in the future.

Also by the text, the Council stressed the importance that lessons be learned and acknowledged the Secretary-General’s report on Srebrenica (see document A/54/549).  The Council reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the Dayton/Paris Peace Accord and to the establishment of multi-ethnic democracy and the rule of law throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

The Council observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the Srebrenica massacre.

The meeting was called to order at 11:45 a.m. and adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement reads as follows:

"Five years after the fall of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Security Council pays tribute to victims of one of the worst civilian massacres in Europe since the end of World War II.  In the week after the fall of Srebrenica, in a United Nations-designated safe area, thousands of innocent civilians were murdered, and thousands of others forcibly relocated as a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing.

"The tragic events at Srebrenica must not be forgotten.  The Council regrets the deplorable events and recalls its resolve to ensure that justice is carried out fully through the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and that such crimes are not repeated in the future.  The Council stresses the importance that lessons be learned and acknowledges the Secretary-General's report on Srebrenica (A/54/549).  The Council reiterates its commitment to the full implementation of the Dayton/Paris Peace Accord and to the establishment of multi-ethnic democracy and the rule of law throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

"I invite the members of the Council to stand and to observe a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the Srebrenica massacre."