Autor: B.net

September 14, 2012
International League of Humanists
Sarajevo Headquarters
Mehmeda Spahe 18, 71 000 Sarajevo

President
dr. Elisabeth Rehn

Secretary General
prof. Zdravko Šurlan

Director of the ILH's Headquarters
dr. Dubravka Šurlan
Secretary of the ILHS Headquarters
Jelena Šipka

Serbian fascists in 1992. whole Prijedor region put into a camp

Dear Elisabeth Rehn, Zdravko Šurlan, Dubravka Šurlan, Jelena Šipka,
At the initiative of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada and on behalf of the survivors and witnesses of the genocide and aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are strongly against the decision of the Council of the International League of Humanists, which granted the mayor of Prijedor Marko Pavic a golden plaque with the badge for alleged achievements in the work and development of local government in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

Marko Pavic banned a public genocide commemoration of the 20th anniversary

This year, Marko Pavic banned a public commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the crime of aggression and genocide because the organizers decided call the atrocities that occurred in Prijedor by its rightful name, GENOCID. He also ordered the Prijedor police to file criminal charges against the organizers of the peaceful procession. This is an example of continued genocide in Prijedor by other means. Pavic continues to systematically terrorized Bosniaks and Croats currently living in Prijedor, treating them as second-class citizens.

Marko Pavic continues to publicly humiliate organizations who represent victims and witnesses of genocide. In the past, he has deliberately organized events that target and spread fear among the families of those killed or missing in Prijedor. Simultaneously Prijedor war criminals walk freely taking positions in the local government.

Marko Pavic continues to grant permission to fascist groups to hold rallies publicly; all groups against whom Prijedor and all anti-fascists fought in the Second World War. At the same time he is denying victims the right to memory, truth and justice.

In addition, Marko Pavic continues to ignore the requirements of the international community that made it clear that discrimination on ethnic or religious grounds shall be stopped, that the truth about the genocide must be admitted, the criminals must satisfy the judge and justice, and that the suffering of all victims in Prijedor must be marked equally, regardless of their ethnicity.

These and many other of Pavić’s attacks against basic human rights and freedoms that run counter to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Human Rights Convention are destroying the reputation of Prijedor, attacking the basic foundations of modern democracy, and violating the basic guidelines of the European Charter of Local government. Yet the award you have granted him is on the basis of a framework he continues to violate. You have given recognition to a person who does not deserve it.

No one has the right to prohibit the memory of genocide to victims of the crime. The use of the word genocide is not prohibited by any law in force in the Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thus the criminal charges that have been laid as a result of the use of the word ‘genocide’ have no legal basis.

The mayor of Prijedor Marko Pavic in peace continues what the war criminals started during the war. He is a fake Democrat who does not accept and does not respect the victims that suffered at the hands of the Serbs. Pavic is a representative of the idea and politics of a greater Serbia. Granting him recognition, on behalf of the International League of Humanists, means - void every humanistic endeavor in our state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN, VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE IN PRIJEDOR: Victims of Genocide sending a clear message, no one has the right to prohibit the victims of genocide remembrance of crime!

So on behalf of survivors and witnesses of genocide, we ask you to withdraw your shameful, unjust and harmful decision because rewarding genocide deniers encourages the ongoing genocide in this beautiful city c with the blessing of your cherished organization.
We hope that your esteemed organization will take our arguments with great seriousness and that you will in the name of preserving the reputation of your organization, and especially on behalf of the marginalized victims of aggression and genocide withdraw your decision.

Sincerely,

The signatories:
Professor Emir Ramic, Chair
The Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada
Professor dr. Smail Cekic
Director, Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law, University of Sarajevo
Professor dr. Senadin Lavic
President, Bosniak Cultural Association, Sarajevo
Professor dr. Ferid Muhic
President of the Bosniak Academy of Arts and Sciences

Jovan Divjak,
Bosnian general in the Bosnian army during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War for independence and the executive director of the association Education builds Bosnia and Herzegovina

Haris Alibasic, MPA, President
The Congress of North American Bosniaks

Murat Tahirović
President of the Organization of victims and witness of the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nihad Mehanović
President of the Bosnian community of Chicago and chief of TV Bostel

Bakira Hasecic, President
Association Women Victims of War

Elvis Keranovic, President
Australian Council of BiH Organizations

Sanja Seferovic-Drnovsek J.D, MEd, Chair
Bosnian American Genocide Institute and Education Center

Zaim Pasic, President
World Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina Diaspora

Dr. Ervin Sendijarević, President
B&H Platform Association

Dževad Kurić, President of Council
B&H Platform Association

Esad Krcić, Chief Editor
Web portal Bosnjaci.Net

Damir Saračević, President
Center of contemporary Austrian initiative

Amer Sabitović, President
Bosnian Academic Circle

Mirsad Duratović, President
Association of Detainees of Prijedor 92

Alma Karabasic,
Azra Alic,
Lejla Adzemovic
Mirsada Kuckovic Hasecic
Anto Tomic
Tamara Kaliterna
Alison Sluiter
Satko Mujagic
Melita Nasic
Senad Draganovic
Emina Beslagic
Emina Beslagic
Members of the Guardians of Omarska