7th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre

WRITTER QUESTION E-2563/02

Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission and the Council

05 September 2002

Subject: Women in Black – 7th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre

According to the organization “Women in Black,” the government of the Serb-Bosnian Entity blocked the organization’s delegation from traveling to Srebrenica to participate in the ceremony for the 7th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre on July 11, 2002, and to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre. Moreover, despite the fact that the Stabilization Force (SFOR) had granted permission and promised to escort the buses, it did not honor its commitment, resulting in 16 peace organizations from Serbia and Montenegro being unable to attend the anniversary.

What measures does the Council intend to take in order to compel the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Serb-Bosnian Entity (Republic Srpska), as well as the Stabilization Force (SFOR), to respect the right of women to attend future similar events and not to obstruct the free movement of people for political purposes? Additionally, what actions will the Commission take to prevent the chauvinist elements within the Serb-Bosnian Entity from undermining peaceful coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina?