Diana receives 'Srebrenica 1995' Prize in Bosnia

3.27.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 17th Jul 2009

Diana with a group of the 'Mothers of Srebenica'

Local Liberal Democrat MEP, Diana Wallis, received this year's 'Srebrenica 1995' prize at a ceremony held at the Genocide memorial centre in Srebrenica-Potočari recently. The prize is awarded annually by the University of Sarajevo's Institute for the Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law in collaboration with the Mothers of Srebrenica and the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The official citation says the prize is awarded to Diana Wallis and her Liberal colleague from Slovenia, Jelko Kacin MEP, for "the unselfish support and assistance that they have provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight for truth and justice".

Diana receiving the award from the Grand Mufti and a representative of the 'Mothers of Srebenica'

Diana Wallis, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said:

"It is a terrific honour to receive this award. When I look at the list of previous recipients I feel very humbled. My main aim has only been to raise the issue within the European Parliament and beyond, principally to get 11 July recognised as the day of Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide all over the EU.

"This call was supported by the European Parliament in its Resolution on Srebrenica of 15 January 2009. I accept this award on behalf of my colleagues who overwhelmingly supported the Resolution.

"This is our contribution to reconciliation, and one that will speed-up the EU accession process."

Both the MEPs will also make key-note speeches at a Conference being held at the same time, 'Genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina - the consequences of the judgment of the International Court of Justice'.

Notes:

The prize is awarded every year on the anniversary of the commemoration of genocide committed against Bosniaks in the UN safe zone of Srebrenica in July 1995. It recognises those that fight against genocide and promote peace and tolerance in the world. The founder of the prize is the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Mustafa Cerić. The associations of families of genocide victims., otherwise known as the 'Mothers of Srebrenica'decided to award the prize this year to Diana Wallis and Jelko Kacin because of their friendship to Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrated by the initiation and adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica by the European Parliament which calls on all EU Member States and Western Balkan countries to commemorate 11 July as Remembrance Day of genocide committed in Srebrenica.