Rugby Borough Council commemorates 25th anniversary of Srebrenica

The massacre of nearly 8,500 Muslims, mainly men and boys, by Bosnian Serb forces was the worst atrocity carried out in Europe since the Second World War.

Bosnia was ripped apart by internal conflict following the disintegration of Yugoslavia. Just a day after the European Community recognised Bosnia-Herzogovina as a sovereign nation, war broke out when Bosnian Serbs started a process of so-called 'ethnic cleansing' with the aim of creating a Greater Serbia.

The war culminated in the atrocity which took place in Srebrenica, which had been declared a 'safe zone' by the United Nations but was breached by Bosnian Serb forces on 11 July 1995.

This year's Srebrenica Memorial Day, promoted by the charity Remember Srebrenica, has the theme 'Every Action Matters' and encourages everyone to play a part in ridding society of intolerance and hatred.

Cllr Seb Lowe, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: "The genocide of Srebrenica was one of modern history's darkest chapters, a chapter which should never be forgotten and never be repeated.

"By standing together and ensuring our everyday actions contribute towards a safer, stronger, tolerant community, we can all play a part in building a future free of hatred and discrimination."