The Mayor of Havant today marked the start of Srebrenica Memorial Week for 2022.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, in which over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered in the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War, simply because of their religious identity.
As an organisation Havant Borough Council believe that we must never forget about the genocide and reaffirm our commitment to standing up against all forms of hatred and prejudice that targets groups based on their religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or any type of difference.
To mark the start of Srebrenica Memorial Week the Mayor of Havant, Councillor Diana Patrick, today raised the Srebrenica flag during a short ceremony outside the Public Service Plaza, Havant.
Councillor Patrick said: ‘It is important for us to come together to celebrate diversity and to stand together in solidarity against hatred and discrimination. We mark this sad anniversary to make sure we do not forget the horrors of the past and to ensure we all learn from them.’
As well as raising the flag the Mayor, together with the Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Alex Rennie, have visited the Holocaust Memorial in Havant Cemetery to light a candle and reflect on all genocides.
Councillor Alex Rennie visited Srebrenica last year, hearing first hand stories from survivors including Hasan Hasanović, who survived a 100 kilometre march through hostile terrain to escape the massacre. Both his father and twin brother were killed during the massacre.
He said: “Having visited Srebrenica and heard first-hand the awful consequences of genocide, it is only right that here in Havant we remember and pay respect to those victims. We must all stand together and oppose all forms of hatred and prejudice that lead to violence and conflict.”
For more information about Srebrenica Memorial week visit https://srebrenica.org.uk/