Comnmunities to pay tribute to Bosnian victims

Batley will come together to remember the victims of a Bosnian massacre on an international day of commemoration.

July 17 is the official yearly memorial of the Srebrenica genocide, when over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed by Serbian forces during the Balkans Wars in 1995 - the worst mass atrocity in Europe since the Holocaust.

Kirklees will be marking the day with an event involving young people from across Kirklees and representatives of charities and the council.

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Guests will pay tribute to the victims, listen to guest speakers and share a meal while discussing how future genocides can be prevented across the world. The charity Remembering Srebrenica will send UK-based ambassadors to the service.

Coun Shabir Pandor, deputy leader of Kirklees Council said: “Getting together to mark this occasion each year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the terrible things that humans are capable of under the guise of war.

“The events of 1995, and terrorist acts since that time, demonstrate why it was so important for me, Coun David Sheard and the leaders of all the other political parties in Kirklees to stand together against racism and xenophobia.”

Also attending will be Coun Masood Ahmed, Cabinet member for community cohesion.

“The commemoration helps us remember the importance of building inclusive, tolerant, considerate communities, where people can live free from fear of persecution.”

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