The Federation of Muslim Organisations welcomes the European Parliament’s call to commemorate 11 July as a day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide.

The army of Republika Srpska under the command of General Ratko Mladic, accompanied by members of Scorpions, a paramilitary unit from Serbia, murdered more than 8,000 Muslim in Srebrenica and its vicinity.  This was genocide on the largest scale in Europe since the Second World War.  Whole families were wiped out with the survivors being left with the most unimaginable anguish and painful memories.  That the people of Srebrenica have sought to re-build their lives successfully is testament to their enduring resolve and determination and is a significant achievement in itself.

Despite refusing to own up to its part in the genocide in the past, in March 2010 , Serbia's parliament passed a landmark resolution apologising for the massacre, saying Belgrade should have done more to prevent the tragedy. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the atrocity was "a crime that shamed Europe". Barack Obama has further described the Srebrenica massacre as "a stain on our collective conscience".

Suleman Nagdi, spokesperson said “The scale of the atrocities in Srebrenica, under the watch of the UN-protected "safe area" is unbelievable.  Standing by, while human beings were slaughtered questions our very commitment to humanity. The need to bring to justice all those that were involved should be a matter of priority for the international community.  To truly learn about this part of our history we need to memorise this date and to learn about the people who lived through it for, it is only then can we see and understand war for what it truly is”.