Councillors to Pass Srebrenica Memorial Motion

Sefton Council is set to take steps to commemorate Srebrenica Memorial Day from 2016 onwards with a motion being voted on at a meeting tomorrow, July 14.

Srebrenica Memorial Day takes place on July 11 and remembers the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which saw over 8,000 Muslim men and boys killed by Serbian nationalist forces.

In 2009, the European Parliament passed a resolution that a day of commemoration should be recognised across the EU and urged the development of educational and cultural programmes.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the atrocities and a motion has been put forward by Cllr Trish Hardy to ensure that Sefton recognises Srebrenica Memorial Day and looks to educate the local community on the event.

Libraries across Sefton will be promoting a number of books relating to Srebrenica and pull up display will be making its way around Bootle Town Hall, Crosby Library and Southport Library throughout the week.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Srebrenica was a terrible atrocity and it is only right that we remember those affected every year and support memorial events as part of the UK-wide Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Week.

“Through these events communities across Sefton can learn to tackle hatred and intolerance, building a better, safer and more cohesive society.

“As a Council we would like to applaud the work of those involved in the purist of justice for the victims and their surviving relatives, including the Mothers of Srebrenica, whose courage and humility in the face of unthinkable horror is an inspiration to us all.”

A short memorial service will be held at Southport Town Hall before Councillors vote on the motion.