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I thank Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and the High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein for their briefings. Today we pay respect and convey our deepest sympathy to all innocent victims and the survivors of the worst single crime in Europe since the end of the World War II in Srebrenica and surrounding areas in July 1995. The Srebrenica genocide left a deep scar:  “thousands of men executed and buried in mass graves, hundreds of men buried alive, men and women mutilated and slaughtered.” We remember all these atrocities so that they would never happen again, that the principles of humanity would not be ever abandoned again. This remembrance is also crucial for prevention and resolution of other conflicts around the world. It is a matter of deep regret that, due to the Russian veto today, the Council failed to show unity in paying tribute to the civilian victims of the genocide in Srebrenica.

We condemn the genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Srebrenica’s crimes cannot be denied. Acceptance of the past and ensuring justice for the victims on all sides is essential in pursuing reconciliation. It is therefore vital that political elites on all sides recognize and accept past events, including the fact of the genocide. The politicians in the region must show courage, overcome their differences and unite for the stable future that all of us wish to see.

Hundreds of families live with the pain of not knowing what happened to their loved ones, not knowing the truth. “It is not living because you want to, but living because you have no choice”, said a mother who lost two of her sons in describing what those who lost their families are going through.

Much more needs to be done. Some 20,000 survivors of cruel and premeditated sexual violence are living in the shadows, afraid to speak, afraid to seek justice. They need care, protection and support. The enormous scope of the crime, 20 years on, contrasts sharply with the few dozen convicted perpetrators.

Only truth and justice can nurture peace and stability. The International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia recognized the genocide at Srebrenica. Those who were behind this tragedy are now standing trial.

The international community and the United Nations, established 70 years ago, meant to save humanity from horrors such as those that the people of the Balkans lived through. The experience in Bosnia was a painful one in the history of the United Nations. This lesson must be learned.

The United Nations today is better equipped to detect the early warning signs of possible atrocities. The responsibility to protect must not remain a concept on paper only. The Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect, as well as the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and for Children and Armed Conflict, are vital elements in this strategy. Their tireless efforts in bringing human rights abuses to the Council’s attention are commendable.

But perhaps the most important lesson drawn from these terrible events is that the systemic terrorization of people must be met decisively with all necessary means and with political will, as the Secretary-General outlined in his report. Yet far too often lack of political will and divisions have stood in the way of decisive action, including on the part of the Council. Let me be clear: restraint in the use of the veto in mass atrocity situations should not remain a theoretical option. We call on all permanent members of the Council to declare it forthwith.

Let us use this solemn occasion to encourage the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina to unite in building a better future for their children. Twenty years have not passed without positive changes. The country is taking steps towards its European integration, with strong continuous support for these efforts by the European Union. The recent agreement by the Parliament and political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a broad range of reforms and their commitment to be proactive in the reconciliation process will, hopefully, help them to overcome differences, unite for the future and ensure stability and peace in the region. The international community, including the members of the Council, should and will continue to support these efforts.

I thank you.