On 8 July Llanelli’s MP and Town Council Mayor joined members of the Llanelli Multicultural Network to remember the tragedy of Srebrenica.
Lighting a candle in honour to victims and survivors, Nia Griffith MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales supported the 2021 Remembering Srebrenica theme of rebuilding lives, saying that she “hoped that it can bring communities together to remember and learn from the past and help build stronger safer and more cohesive societies here in Llanelli and Wales.”
Many events across the UK during Remembering Srebrenica week have honoured the two million people who were displaced during the genocide and ethnic cleansing in in Bosnia during 1990s.
Lllanelli Town Mayor Councillor Michael Cranham JP added that many victims “Have been rebuilding their lives with dignity, humanity and without calling for retribution or promoting division or hatred.“
Deputy Mayor Councillor Sean Rees wished to “Remember all of the victims and survivors of this truly awful and sad chapter in our history.”
On 11 July 1995, the town of Srebrenica in Bosnia which had been declared a UN Safe Area was over-run. After that more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered and buried in mass graves.
Thousands of women, children and elderly people were forcibly deported. It has been described as the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War.
Members of the Network shared their experience of Bosnia and the wider region, learning about the many challenges faced by victims still struggling to rebuild their lives. Chair of the Network Ann Evans said:
“The lessons we learn from Srebrenica are that hatred and intolerance can flourish if left unchallenged. As a Network we understand the consequences of not taking action against hate.”
Llanelli Multicultural Network aims to work to build a more inclusive and cohesive community, to fight racial discrimination and prejudice. They have been working since 2007 to celebrate the diverse cultures of Llanelli and the benefits that a multi-cultural society brings.
Paolo Piana, West Wales Regional Coordinator for Race Council Cymru, said:
“We must never forget the tragic events of Srebrenica and we must commit ourselves to ensuring that we work together to create a more peaceful world, free from prejudice, hatred and discrimination.”
For information about Remembering Srebrenica see srebenica.org.uk
or contact Malcolm Boorer at malcolm.llanelli@virgin.net
For more information about Llanelli Multicultural Network contact Ann Evans at lmcnchair@live.co.uk
