The letter of thanks to the Government of Canada

April 12, 2013

H.E. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

The Hon. John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

Dear Minister Baird,

On behalf of the Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada and Congress of North American Bosniaks – Canadian Branch, survivors of the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and all friends of truth and justice, I wish to personally thank the Canadian delegation for boycotting the provocative debate on the role of international criminal justice in reconciliation, organized by current President of the United Nations General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic.

The Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada and the Congress of North America - Canadian branch drafted a letter that was signed by fifty of the world's foremost experts and advocates for human rights and freedoms. In this letter we warned the Canadian public and Canadian political leaders that the discussion planned by Jeremic would not strengthen international law, international justice, truth and the protection of victims and witness of the past and future aggression and genocide. Instead, the discussion on April 10th was intended to create a platform for specific individuals and states that aim to abuse international legal order for their own interests.

In this letter we wrote among other things: "Do not be quiet! As a democratic country that adopted us as its citizens after our trauma of aggression, crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, help us make our voices louder as Canadian citizens. If we are silent we are complicit. "

And fortunately Canada did not stay silent. A few days before the UN debate, a notice from the office of Canada's Prime Minister came stating that our letter has been taken with most seriousness.

Canada has listened to the voice of witnesses and victims of aggression and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The boycott of the debate has humiliated the United Nations and especially the United Nations President of the General Assembly. More importantly, Canada has honored the witnesses and victims of aggression and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina with their decision to boycott the debate. We thank and respect Canada for standing up for human rights and humanity.

In conclusion, the Canadian Bosniaks, witnesses and survivors of aggression and genocide find the selection of the retired Canadian general, Lewis MacKenzie as one of the panelists for the debate offensive, especially for women who are victims of sexual violence. General MacKenzie is known for challenging the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia’s (ICTY) judgments regarding genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian military prosecutor Mustafa Bisic, accused Mackenzie of visiting a camp near Sarajevo where rape occurred during the aggression and genocide.

Canada has paid its tribute to the victims of the genocide by adopting the Srebrenica Resolution in the Canadian Parliament. Canadian Bosniaks hope that Canada, as a respectable member nation will join in the efforts to make July 11th a day of commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide in the United Nations. It is an obligation and a minimum that victims deserve.

With outmost respect, we once again thank you for all your efforts we hope Canada continues on that path.

Professor Emir Ramic

Chairman of the Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada