LEO VARADKAR spoke of Ireland’s determination to avoid the mistakes of the past during an event marking the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.
The Tánaiste pledged to ensure Ireland uses is seat on the UN Security Council to ensure such a “shameful” event never takes place again, according to RTE.
On July 11, 1995, Bosnian Serb forces captured the so-called UN safe-haven of Srebrenica.
More than 8,000 men and boys subsequently lost their lives in a massacre that, even today, remains difficult to comprehend.
Varadkar spoke at an event in Blanchardstown to mark the atrocity.
The event, which was organised by the Bosnia-Herzegovina Association of Ireland at the Millennium Park, was also attended by Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Roderic O'Gorman.
He echoed Varadkar’s sentiments, telling those in attendance that the "world failed Bosnia, and the world failed Srebrenica".
O’Gorman was Ireland would be taking its new role in the UN “so seriously” given what happened.
Many Bosnians moved to Ireland in the 1990s as part of a refugee resettlement programme
This number included some are survivors of Srebrenica, with the majority now living in Dublin 15, close to where the event was held.
#Srebrenica was a “shameful” event in European history, says @LeoVaradkar, and we “vow” to use our UN Security Council seat to ensure such genocide does not happen again @rtenews #SrebrenicaMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/c9m9gWeEz8
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) July 11, 2020
In a statement, Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs said: “Today marks the 25th anniversary of one of the worst atrocities to take place on European soil, when 8,000 unarmed men and boys were systematically murdered at Srebrenica in July 1995.
“A quarter of a century later, the psychological wounds remain, particularly for the families and communities directly affected.”
“Ireland has respect for human rights at the heart of our foreign policy, and we know from our own history the importance of reconciliation and lasting peace. We will therefore continue to support the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their own journey towards reconciliation."
“As Ireland prepares to take up its seat for a two-year term on the UN Security Council next January, the memories of what occurred in Srebrenica will be a driving force for our membership.
“Mindful of the lessons of those appalling days, Ireland and its representatives will work to ensure such atrocities can never occur again and to be an effective voice for equality, justice, and respect for human rights on the Council.“
