Srebrenica – Never Again

The Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature (FCJK) expresses its deepest reverence for the more than 8,000 innocent Bosniaks – men and boys – who were murdered in July 1995 by members of the Army of the Republika Srpska, solely because they were Bosniaks and Muslims. This crime, which the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has classified as genocide, remains a lasting warning to humanity and an indelible scar on the conscience of Europe and the United Nations.

The genocide in Srebrenica was a direct consequence of the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, driven by decades, almost a century, of propaganda that spread hatred toward those who are different. Yet despite the genocide, destruction, systematic rape, bloody massacres in Posavina and Podrinje, and a campaign aimed at their complete annihilation, Bosnia and Herzegovina survived – thanks to the heroism of the soldiers, both men and women, of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who defended their people and their right to live in peace and freedom under almost impossible conditions. Their resistance stands as a beacon of courage, faith in justice, and an eternal monument to the victims of Srebrenica.

It is important to note that Montenegro, politically controlled by Belgrade at the time, did not, as a state, participate institutionally in the planning or execution of the genocide in Srebrenica, as has been repeatedly emphasized by Dr. Emir Suljagić, director of the Potočari Memorial Center. However, Montenegro must not turn away from its historical responsibility. Volunteers from Montenegro fought on the side of the aggressors throughout the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some served in Arkan’s units, while others were members of the notorious Special Operations Unit of the Serbian Interior Ministry and the Army of the Republika Srpska. The attacks on Mostar and Sarajevo, as well as the crimes committed in Grbavica, Kladuša, Bijeljina, Foča, and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which Montenegrin nationals participated, remain a dark stain that must be acknowledged, thoroughly investigated, and publicly condemned.

The FCJK will always remember the victims of Srebrenica, upholding the culture of remembrance as a foundation of a democratic and just society. We remain firmly committed to the fight against all forms of expansionist and genocidal ideologies that caused suffering in the past and continue to threaten the fragile, hard-won peace in our region today.

Finally, we emphasize: denying the genocide in Srebrenica is not only a profound moral failure but also a criminal act that must be punishable in every democratic society. We call on the relevant institutions in Montenegro to adopt effective legislative and educational policies that will sanction any form of genocide denial, relativization of crimes, or glorification of war criminals such as the Balkan butchers Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić.

It is our academic and social responsibility to use teaching and scientific research to dismantle propaganda, promote a culture of peace and genuine reconciliation, and empower younger generations to recognize and stand up against all forms of hatred.

The victims of Srebrenica, who perished in the silence of the world, oblige us never to forget and to build a future with dignity – a future where there is no place for new genocides. Only through truth, justice, and education can we prevent such crimes from happening again.

Srebrenica – never again!