The Bosnian Genocide Working Group

The working group, which has been set up in coordination with the Bosnian Genocide Educational Trust by The Duty Legacy Director James Joseph and Founder of The Bosnian Genocide Educational Trust, Smajo Beso OBE have partnered to research and raise awareness about the Bosnian genocide and its ongoing legacies. 

Some specific activities they discussed included:

- Researching denial of the genocide and reductionist narratives about what happened in Bosnia;

- Mapping what happened across Bosnia, not just in Srebrenica, to provide a more complete picture of the Genocide in places across Bosnia;

- Speaking to survivors in Bosnia to document testimonies;

- Engaging with politicians and academics in both Bosnia and the UK;

- Seeking to counter propaganda and misinformation, genocide denial and the continuing issues in the Serb entity in Northern and Eastern Bosnia known as Republika Srpska;

Aims of the group

- To research and raise awareness about the full scope and ongoing legacies of the Bosnian genocide, not just what happened in Srebrenica. 

- To counter denialist narratives and propaganda about the genocide that is still prevalent.

- To directly engage survivors in Bosnia and help ensure they have a voice in shaping the narrative.

- To explore transitional justice approaches that provide tangible benefits for survivors at a local level.

- To establish partnerships between organizations and individuals working on these issues in Bosnia, the UK and elsewhere.

The Bosnian Genocide Education Trust 

The Bosnian Genocide Education Trust (BGET) was set up in the UK with the aim of educating and raising awareness about the Bosnian Genocide that occurred during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995. The trust seeks to ensure that the lessons from this tragic event are learned and understood, and to promote tolerance, understanding, and peacebuilding.

The Bosnian Genocide was a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing and mass killings against Bosniak Muslims and other non-Serb populations by Bosnian Serb forces during the war. It resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, widespread rape and sexual violence, and forced displacement of millions.

The BGET recognizes the importance of educating future generations and the wider public about the atrocities committed during the Bosnian Genocide. By providing educational resources, conducting research, and organizing events, the trust aims to foster a greater understanding of the causes and consequences of the genocide, as well as promote remembrance, reconciliation, and the prevention of future genocides.

In summary, the Bosnian Genocide Education Trust in the UK was established to ensure that the memory of the Bosnian Genocide is not forgotten, to promote education about the genocide, and to contribute to efforts aimed at preventing such atrocities from happening again.