Remember, learn, forgive.
Twenty years have passed from the tragedy which deeply impacted lives of the people in Balkan Peninsula. At the end of the 20th century, ethnic conflicts in a previously civilized region, have escalated to unimaginable proportions. The madness of political regimes, which manipulated the minds and emotions of all peoples in the region, ultimately caused the gravest human suffering after World War II.
The failure to prevent it, amidst Europe, is our common burden.
Tragedies like Srebrenica will always remind us how fragile the peace is.
Tragedies like Srebrenica will always give us the needed impetus, to promote the culture of cooperation, mutual understanding, solidarity and equality.
We are all of one kind. The humankind, regardless of our political, religious, ethnical or economic beliefs. We need to populate this planet in coexistence, not hatred and division.
Therefore, let our statement, condemning the crime which took place in Srebrenica, be a reminder of all the victims, whose lives were ever lost in wars and conflicts. Let it be a reminder that prevention of wars is our mutual obligation.
Let it be a reminder, that peace is what we shall all constantly strive for.
The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities
Andrzej Pietrasik, President
Mayor of Plonsk, Poland |
Andrej Čas, Secretary General,
Mayor of Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia |
Image: "Srebrenica massacre memorial gravestones 2009 1" by Michael Büker - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons