Proposal for the International Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre “The European Parliament “The European Parliament urges calls on the Council and the the development of educational Commission to commemorate and cultural programmes that appropriately the anniversary promote an understanding of of the Srebrenica-Potočari the causes of such atrocities act of genocide by supporting and raise awareness about the Parliament’s recognition need to nurture peace and to of 11 July as the day of promote human rights and commemoration of the interreligious tolerance.” Srebrenica genocide all over EU RESOLUTION 9 JULY 2015 A mother stands at the grave of her son and husband who were both murdered in the Srebrenica genocide. the EU, and to call on all the countries of the western Background Balkans to do the same.” “The terrible events that occurred The Srebrenica genocide was the “It was genetically deformed material Such beliefs equating a specific ethnic or EU RESOLUTION 15 JANUARY 2009 at Srebrenica in July 1995 are planned, systematic, industrialised that embraced Islam. And now, of religious group with a disease or illness, historical facts and have been murder of thousands of Bosnian course, with each successive generation have echoes of how the Nazis identified documented extensively. Both Muslim men and boys during the it simply becomes concentrated. It gets the Jews. Stripped of their possessions, Bosnian War. It was a plan to ethnically worse and worse. It simply expresses their livelihoods, their dignity and their “We stand by Bosnia and the ICTY and the International cleanse a particular people by the itself and dictates their style of thinking, essential humanity, Bosnian Muslims Herzegovina citizens as they Court of Justice have concluded Army of Republika Srpska (VRS). which is rooted in their genes. And were singled out for the sole purpose of commemorate and honour that the acts committed at The VRS machine successfully co-opted through the centuries, the genes expediting the policy of ethnic cleansing. civic society through a careful and degraded further”. the memory of the citizens Srebrenica constituted genocide. systematic process of dehumanising The UN described the mass murder lost in the act of genocide The ICTY has determined Bosnian Muslims so that the agents as “the worst crime on European soil of death and their collaborators “The UN described since the Second World War”. The that took place in the Bosnian the criminal responsibility of found common and easier cause in the mass murder as International Court of Justice (ICJ) town of Srebrenica. This was different individuals for the achieving their goal of ethnic cleansing. and the International Criminal Court an act of genocide of a scale and has The beliefs of Biljana Plavšić, former ’the worst crime on for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) President of Republika Srpska and both ruled that the mass execution unseen in Europe for decades, convicted them of genocide. convicted war criminal explains the European soil since the of Bosnian Muslim men and boys in and a tragedy which should To help prevent future such dehumanising ideology and thinking: Second World War.’” Srebrenica constitutes genocide. never have been allowed to atrocities, we must look honestly occur. We will never forget at the past, and acknowledge these events.” that these crimes occurred”. JOINT STATEMENT BY UN SECRETARY-GENERAL UK & GERMAN GOVERNMENTS ANTONIO GUTERRES

Srebrenica Memorial Day at Westminster Abbey, 2015. Photo: Andrew Parsons. Bodies still being identified and buried each year in Srebrenica.

Cover photo credit: Rooful Ali 1 The International Centre

The International Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre will have two functions:

1. First it will establish and manage a world class learning centre which will comprise of four zones:

I. INTERACTIVE LEARNING ROOM The Learning Room will focus on teaching current and future generations the lessons from Srebrenica through an interactive digital museum, survivor testimonies and videos in order to clearly explain the history and events leading up to the genocide, as well as a human and personal perspective to demonstrate what hatred and intolerance can lead to. Filmed testimonies of survivors will be shown throughout

the Learning Room to create a holistic ROOFUL ALI and immersive learning experience. Images of the proposed Interactive Learning Room.

Srebrenica Memorial Commemoration at Lancaster House, 2014.

The Proposal

There is a need to establish the world’s first 50 million opportunities to view our which has greater resonance than ever in International Srebrenica Memorial Learning messages globally, creating at least 10,000 our culturally diverse global societies. Centre to combat hatred and intolerance champions against hatred per year and through memorial learning, leadership attracting at least 25,000 visitors per year. The Learning Centre will do this by: engagement as well as commemorative and educational activities. The aims of the Learning Centre • Engaging governments, the private would be to: sector, civil society and its members The Learning Centre will share lessons through leadership summits, Srebrenica from this tragic episode in recent • Use the history of the Srebrenica Memorial Day and, the ‘Lessons from European history. These lessons genocide as a model of how society can Srebrenica’ educational programme will not only heighten awareness break down, and emphasise how current about the Srebrenica genocide and the of the dangers of intolerance in the and future generations must carefully consequences of hatred and intolerance. II. THE READING AND RESEARCH ROOM contemporary world, but bring to the examine and learn from this tragedy. This will host the widest collection fore an appreciation of respecting • Producing independent and rigorous of court evidence, books, papers religious beliefs and upholding • Promote an understanding of the analysis of critical global, regional and historical documents as well as universal values. dangers of hatred and intolerance and country-specific challenges and survivor stories and video testimonies. through the ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ opportunities. It would allow academics, legal experts In this way the proposed Learning educational visits programme. and researchers along with students Centre will offer a powerful antidote • Offering new ideas to decision-makers to enhance their knowledge into to prejudice and act as a beacon of • Promote the importance of building and key influencers on how these could the history and implications of the shared humanity by creating each year community cohesion and good citizenship, best be tackled in the short and long term. genocide. These collections will also help to improve our understanding as to how an integrated society disintegrated, and what hatred and intolerance could lead to. The reading room will be available to the public and 25,000 50m 10,000 will also publish reports and briefing visitors are likely to attend the Gallery estimated global audience reached global community champions papers. 15,000 students are expected and Memorial Room every year through media activities each year created each year to visit the centre each year. Image of the proposed Reading and Research Room.

2 3 Who We Are

Remembering Srebrenica, established Over the last five years, we have worked What in 2013, is a charity funded by the UK to do this by: We have Government. In 2015 Prime Minister 5 Achieved increased the funding • Bringing communities together to KEY in our First with an announcement of £1.2 million REMEMBER Srebrenica through STATISTICS 5 Years over three years which was reaffirmed in organising commemoration events in 2017 by Prime Minister Theresa May. the UK.

Educated more than We recognise that the lesson • Taking people on our ‘Lesson from Srebrenica is that no society from Srebrenica’ educational visits is invulnerable to prejudice and programme to LEARN lessons from intolerance. We must all remain vigilant the survivors of the genocide. against these forces, and take positive 75,000 action to build stronger, more resilient • Creating Community Champions who young people on the communities. Our vision is a society free PLEDGE to stand up to hatred and lessons from Srebrenica. from hatred. intolerance in their communities.

Raised awareness by creating

Image of proposed Exhibition Gallery. 25,000 visitors are likely to visit every year.

III. THE EXHIBITION GALLERY The Gallery will include a curated 173m opportunities to engage exhibition to guide visitors through with survivor stories. the events of the genocide which will be developed in conjunction with world-famous artists to convey the impact of genocide through art. The Gallery will be visited by school children, professionals, groups working in local communities and 1,100 Community Champions created the general public who will be guided who pledge to stand up to hate. through the gallery by the education team at the Centre. The exhibition will compliment Remembering Srebrenica’s already existing education programmes and will link to school curriculum. The Gallery British Ambassador Edward Ferguson, HRH Princes Anne and Dr Waqar Azmi OBE during their visit to Srebrenica, 2015. 175,000 and Memorial Room would likely see people brought together through around 25,000 visitors per year. memorial activities.

IV. THE MEMORIAL ROOM 8,372 victims’ names will be listed on the permanent memorial. Organised over AND GARDEN The Centre’s Memorial Room and 2. Second it will establish a Think Garden will act as a permanent Tank that will: memorial to honour the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and ethnic • Organise and facilitate across different 5,300 cleansing by listing the names of countries an annual Srebrenica memorial activities. all of the victims and highlighting Memorial Day. personal stories of those who were Remembering Srebrenica’s next phase killed in order to keep their memory • Organise high-level ‘Lessons from of development is the establishment alive. This will provide a place for Srebrenica’ visits programme. of the world’s first International personal reflection where survivors Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre. and relatives of those who were killed • Establish Leaders’ Summits and We are now fundraising to raise the can honour and remember their loved Conferences and host high-profile required funds to open the Centre ones. It will also act as a reminder leaders from around the world. by 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary to those who visit the centre of the of Srebrenica. consequences of hatred by the visual • Publish reports and briefing papers. Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, First Minister and the Very Reverend Dr Lorna Hood viewing the depiction of the names of victims. Image of proposed bespoke Memorial Garden. names of victims in Srebrenica, 2016.

4 5 Who supports us? A small sample of our supporters and ambassadors shows the diverse range of people involved in Remembering Srebrenica, and our national and international reach:

“The killing of over 8000 people and the “Keeping alive the memory of the “Srebrenica Memorial Day is an failure of the international community to crimes committed in July 1995 is just opportunity to salute the work of all intervene remains a shameful tragedy. part of what is owed to the victims and those who have worked to shine a light That it was committed on the basis of the communities that mourn them. on all that happened in the dark ethnic and religious identity requires Remembering painful truths about the days of 1995 and to pledge to do all we

DOUG PETERS/EMPICS ENTERTAINMENT us all, especially religious leaders, to past is the key to our shared quest for a can as religious or political be vigilant in the language we use and better and more tolerant world.” leaders, or simply as citizens of the “The lesson of Srebrenica is that the “For so many people in Bosnia, the pain “Srebrenica was an act of genocide on a confront the discrimination and hate EPHRAIM MIRVIS world, to reach out across the stirring up of hatred and discrimination goes on. Bodies are still being identified scale unseen in Europe since 1945. It was promoted in the name of religion” Chief Rabbi barriers between us and to work for is always wrong, and if left unchecked, and buried: women are still praying their a tragedy that should never have been THE MOST REV JUSTIN WELBY justice and reconciliation” can lead to terrible evil. We should all, missing husband or son might return; allowed to occur” The Archbishop of Canterbury CARDINAL VINCENT NICHOLS wherever we live in the world, work for victims of sexual abuse are still living with The Archbishop of Westminster understanding and tolerance between the emotional scars. They will never forget Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs all peoples. That is the message what happened – and Remembering of Remembering Srebrenica and I Srebrenica is doing a vital job of ensuring Above all, Remembering Srebrenica works closely with the survivors commend them for their valuable work.” we in Britain do not forget either.” PRINCESS ANNE THERESA MAY of the Srebrenica genocide particularly, the Mothers of Srebrenica. UK Prime Minister The UK Bosnian Network and the UK Bosnian Society are involved in the charity Remembering Srebrenica and fully support the work.

Regional and Country Board Chairs

In addition to our patrons and ambassadors, we are supported by six regional boards in English regions and three country boards operating in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. LABOUR PARTY GAGE SKIDMORE

“’We must never forget’ is a powerful “The systematic murder of more than “We must stand by Bosnia today and long The Very Rev David Melding AM, CBE Saleem Kidwai OBE Peter Osborne Zeynab Ahmed Dr Lorna Hood OBE Co-Chair of Wales Co-Chair of Wales Chair of Northern Ireland Chair of Yorkshire message, but the step before that 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys tore into the future—in honour of those who Chair of Scotland & North East must be reminding ourselves of what the heart out of thousands of families. died, and in solidarity with those who happened, and that is why Srebrenica Fathers, sons, husbands and brothers still mourn them” Memorial Day is so important” wrenched from their loved ones—the ANGELINA JOLIE SADIQ KHAN women who still grieve this murderous Actress, Filmmaker and Humanitarian Mayor of London loss as many continue to search for their menfolk’s mortal remains” LORD PADDY ASHDOWN Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats & High Representative of Elinor Chohan MBE Alma Aganović Dr Helen Connolly Rameez Kaleem Anousheh Haghdadi Chair of North West Chair of West Midlands Chair of East Midlands Chair of London Chair of South West Bosnia-Herzegovina & South East

6 7 To Donate

If you would like to help in establishing the world’s first All those who make a donation of £1,000 or more will also International Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre, we would be be offered the opportunity to have their name engraved on happy to discuss the different ways of sponsoring or donating. the wall of the Centre in recognition of their contribution You can donate directly in the following ways: to the creation of the International Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre. 1. Send a cheque payable to ‘Remembering Srebrenica’ “We must never forget the act of “On behalf of the Bosnian people, I offer The International Centre and Think Tank can both be 2. Donate online from the UK: established and self-sustained by raising £6.9 million. genocide that happened at Srebrenica. my sincere thanks to Remembering Account name: Ummah Help For further information, please contact: It was a crime that shamed Europe. Srebrenica for pronouncing the truth Account number: 41796089 Sort code: 40-11-15 We owe it to the victims to learn the and guarding the memory of the victims Donate online from outside of the UK: Dr Waqar Azmi OBE lesson of Srebrenica: that evil must of the Srebrenica genocide” Account name: Ummah Help Chairman of Remembering Srebrenica IBAN: GB60 HBUK 4011 1541 7960 89 Newland House, 2nd Floor be confronted if humanity is to be BAKIR IZETBEGOVIĆ Swift Code: HBUKGB4B BIC: HBUKGB4119K 137–139 Hagley Road protected. We owe it to the victims President of Bosnia-Herzegovina Birmingham Your donation will: B16 8UA to ensure that those indicted for this • Honour the forgotten genocide victims and their families appalling crime are pursued relentlessly • Form a living legacy for future generations to remember and Tel: 0044 (121) 454 3343 learn the lessons from Srebrenica E-mail: [email protected] until they are brought to justice.” “On July 11, we honour the memory of • Contribute to a more compassionate and cohesive world DAVID CAMERON over 8,000 innocent men and boys— Former UK Prime Minister brothers and husbands, fathers and Funding Breakdown sons—who were brutally murdered in Srebrenica ... in a brazen act of genocide PRIORITY AREA COST DETAILS TOTAL “The United Nations did not live up that shocked the world. The name

International Srebrenica Purchase a suitable land/building; build/refurbish to establish the International Centre; Create £5,000,000 to its responsibility. The international Srebrenica will forever be associated Memorial Learning the Interactive Learning Room, Reading and Research Room, Exhibition Gallery, Memorial (million) community failed in preventing the with some of the darkest acts of the Centre Room and Garden; staff offices; visitors’ restaurant (see example photos on earlier pages). genocide that unfolded. Too many 20th century.” Our estimates are based on suitable land/buildings identified in Birmingham. Birmingham men and boys died in Srebrenica— BARACK OBAMA is the second biggest British city and most populous outside the capital London. needlessly, savagely.” Former President of the USA In research conducted by the University of Manchester, Birmingham is believed to become BAN KI-MOON Britain’s second plural city, where no ethnicity forms a majority, in 2024. Former UN Secretary-General

“I hope the very mention of the name Three year running This would be for staff salaries & heating, lighting, running costs of the International Centre £1,950,000 costs to help make the and delivery of key objectives: (million) “Srebrenica” will remind every child in the Centre self-sustainable “Through error, misjudgement and world that pride in our own religious and • Increasing visitors to 25,000 within three years • Establishment of Remembering Srebrenica Boards in different countries an inability to recognize the scope of ethnic heritage does not require or permit • Promoting annual Srebrenica Memorial Day in different countries the evil confronting us, we failed to us to dehumanize or kill those who are • Developing Community Champions against hate in different countries • Facilitating ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ visits programme for people in different countries do our part to help save the people of different. I hope and pray that Srebrenica • Educational work with schools in different countries Srebrenica from the Serb campaign of will be for all the world a sober reminder • Holding summits, conferences and hosting high-profile leaders from around the world • Publishing reports and briefing papers mass murder.” of our common humanity.” KOFI ANNAN BILL CLINTON Former UN Secretary-General Former President of the USA Self-sustainability The Centre will be self-sustainable within three years as it will attract 25,000 school strategy for the children & visitors per year at a charge of £10 per person raising £250k annually; An annual International Centre subscription of £100 per year from 2,000 Alumni Members raising £200k; and annual grant from partners of £200k.

TOTAL ‘ONE OFF’ Total (including three year running cost) £6,950,000 FUNDING NEEDED (million)

8 “All children have a right to learn what actually happened and not to bring up new generations full of hatred.”

NEDŽAD AVDIĆ Genocide survivor

Supported by

Remembering Srebrenica is a project of Ummah Help funded by the UK Government. Registered Charity No. 1142686 © Remembering Srebrenica 2018

www.srebrenica.org.uk