Skopje, 11 July 2023 (MIA) — Srebrenica can happen again if nations do not commit to building democratic societies, where the rule of law and respect for human freedoms and rights is the norm, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said at Tuesday's commemorative session of Parliament held to mark July 11, the International Day of Remembrance of the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.

"I would much rather we gathered to celebrate the blessing of life in all its beauty. However, it is extremely important to remember all the sorrow and pain of the Srebrenica genocide," Speaker Xhaferi said.

He said North Macedonia has strongly condemned the genocide committed in the dark times of war on the Balkans.

"After a war, nothing is the same as before," Xhaferi noted. "The void that remains on the streets and in people's homes cannot be made up for. The pain inside one's chest does not lessen, either. I felt this when I was in Potochari a few years ago. It was obvious in the eyes of Kosovo refugees. I saw this recently in Ukraine as well.

"Every day, we hear increasingly worrying news from our region. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend everything is fine or that this is happening somewhere far away. In this age of globalization, advanced technology and new creative ways of warfare, we must unite!"

"We live in a world dependent on mutual security support, cooperation, economic exchange and trade, and we need to turn to each other," Xhaferi continued.

"Let's stand firmly by each other for the world's safe future and survival. We have to stand on the side of democratic values and prioritize human rights and freedoms, the right to life and the right to make one's own choice. Because this the only way good will triumph over evil."

"We are all people, first and foremost! Every human being deserves a good life – but also a good death. As for when death comes, that right is neither a prerogative nor determined by law for certain individuals only," Xhaferi said.

The parliament speaker added that people were intelligent beings with a moral responsibility to find peaceful solutions to problems. He urged nations to clear misunderstandigs through diplomatic means, engaging in an open and constructive dialogue. mr/