(No. 200 - July 11, 2011 - 8:25 p.m. ET) John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, today issued the following statement to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide:
“On this solemn anniversary honouring the memories of the more than 8,000 boys and men in Srebrenica, I extend Canada’s heartfelt condolences to those who lost loves ones in this atrocity.
“The world must never again allow a crime of this kind to take place.
“The arrest of Ratko Mladic, now standing trial on genocide charges in The Hague, is indeed an indication that the international community has no tolerance for crimes against humanity and genocide. This process will hopefully bring some measure of closure to those who still hurt.
“Canada will continue to work in cooperation with other states and international institutions to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes are held accountable and brought to justice.
“We sincerely hope that all countries in the region, which was so devastated by these atrocities, will continue their efforts to bring reconciliation, unity and progress to the Balkans.”
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