News in English     | 16.06.2021. 17:35 |

A joint memorial to civilian victims of war unveiled in Žepče

FENA Alma Zukanović

ŽEPČE, June 16 (FENA) - A joint memorial to civilian victims of war in the Municipality of Žepče, built with the help of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, was unvieled today.

Numerous delegations, international organizations and embassies, as well as representatives of the municipality of Žepče attended the unveiling of the monument.

Mayor of Žepče, Mato Zovko, said on this occasion that many generations of different cultures and religions lived in Žepče, but that everyone loved the place and that they still love it.

“In the last war, all the worst happened to us. There were many dead, there were a lot of misunderstandings, divisions, parallel institutions, and after the war the big task was how to return everything to normal,” Zovko pointed out.

He emphasized that today they are middle-developed municipality, but he also pointed out that two schools under one roof were abolished a long time ago.

UN Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention Alice Wairimu Nderitu expressed satisfaction that she is attending the unveiling of the monument and that she had the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims.

“I was in Srebrenica yesterday. Great contrast and great difference. My office is very concerned about the denial of genocide especially by political leaders, and here we can see how ethnic communities live together,” she said.

Although she could not travel due to the pandemic, she once again said that she is worried about the denial of genocide, but also the glorification of war criminals.

“Žepče gives hope because it has overcome the politics of the past and division. Pain and sorrow know neither faith nor identity, and then there is a force that brings together the relatives of all the victims and a bond is created that is extremely strong. And you have just faced that challenge,” she emphasized.

Swedish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Johanna Strömquist said that she came to Žepče today to pay tribute to all the victims of the war.

“By paying tribute to all the victims together, you are taking a step towards a better future. We are also here to express our admiration for the people of Žepče for their unity and everything they have achieved. I hope that others will follow your steps,” she emphasized.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kathleen Kavalec, said that this was made possible thanks to close cooperation with UN Permanent Coordinator to BiH Ingrid Macdonald.

“The OSCE and the UN have a long-standing strategic partnership on promoting reconciliation. This is one example of our working together. We are also honored to have UN Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention to the Secretary-General Alice Wairimu Nderitu among our guests today,” she said.

She pointed out that even after a quarter of a century since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, there are still challenges in post-war reconciliation in BiH.

She stressed that the municipality has made great progress and that cooperation and compromise now dominate local politics and the decision-making process.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ingrid Macdonald said Žepče has shown that despite the difficult past, progress can be made.

“Thank you for showing us what can be done when citizens unite to work on mutual respect and overcoming the difficult past in order to move forward. You are proof of how one can live and focus on the future, especially of children, as we see how many young people are leaving the country. Your example is important for BiH, but also for all communities in the world,” she concluded.

(FENA) A. B.

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