November 19, 2011 is WORLD DAY FOR PREVENTION OF ABUSE and VIOLENCE Against CHILDREN. I had already planned on introducing you today to NAIDA SEKIC, a new guest writer for DIPLOMATICALLY INCORRECT, and a Facebook Friend. Naida was forced to flee war torn BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA at eight months. She is part of the Bosnian diaspora that has through determination and conviction became a success in keeping her cultural identity and at the same time assimilating her new country, in this case - Sweden. Naida is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Stockholm and represented UNICEF at the Royal Palace of Sweden at the premiere of the WORLD CHILD & YOUTH FORUM last year, November 19. Delegates from around the world as well as KING CARL XVI GUSTAF and QUEEN SILVIA of Sweden participated in the celebration of the 21st anniversary of the creation of the CONVENTION of the RIGHTS of the CHILD. Much of Naida’s free time is spent working to improve the principles and practices of the issues she faced whilst growing up as a child from war. Her ultimate goal is to implement the deprived rights of all children, yet her main focus is making a better tomorrow for the children of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following is the first of what we hope to be other articles from Naida, “REMEMBER THE BOSNIAN & HERZEGOVINIAN HOLOCAUST – REMEMBER SREBRENICA.” ---By, Susan Sacirbey Facebook: Become a Fan at “DIPLOMATICALLY INCORRECT” & “SUSAN SACIRBEY” Follow on TWITTER @DiplomaticallyX “REMEMBER THE BOSNIAN AND HERZEGOVINIAN HOLOCAUST -- REMEMBER SREBRENICA” -- By, NAIDA SEKIC Despite my personal tragedy on my studies on Srebrenica, my hurt and ache do not even begin to compare with the open wounds and the eternal scars upon the delicate souls of the survivors of Genocide, for I am not the Mother of a butchered child, the Father to a slaughtered son, the daughter to an executed Father, nor I am the wife to a murdered Husband, yet I do stand as a sister to thousands upon thousands of forgotten Brothers. I have, for the longest of time thought of how to go about presenting the Grand Injustice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, yet the truth cannot be beautified. Even for those who wish to stretch it I say, truth will forever stand victorious; hence I decided to go with the teachings of my beloved Mother, for she taught me to always speak my heart. Therefore, I wish for my heart and my intentions to be cleansed and make this event explicitly dedicated to the victims of the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the Srebrenica Genocide, to all the innocent souls that have tasted the acidity of indescribable hatred being burnt on to their bodies. But also, to all people, who have fallen dead to the unimaginable evils of man; they too are remembered in our prayers. From being a rather shy, yet happy child, I have grown into a strong and independent young woman, and despite all hardships in life, I wish to be a young woman of faith in the goodness of man, with the sole intention of speaking the truth, spreading the truth, and practicing the truth. It all began six years ago on July 11, 2005, when I for the very first time sat with my Mother to watch the 10th memorial commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide. That day marked an important milestone in the lives of many people, including my own – for ten years prior, thousands of people faced the savage experience of Genocide, whilst ten years later, the desire to spread the truth of their experiences blossomed in the heart of a little twelve year old girl. One memory that has followed me ever since is the picture of a little boy holding a big poster saying “SREBRENICA – JAVI SE, BABO” – which may be translated into “Father, call for me”. Later on I found out that that little boy was searching for his Father, in hopes of finding him alive. From that moment on, I decided to do my very best in the little way I could to prevent such crimes from being committed in the future by speaking of them, for no child shall ever have to live an ambiguous life, thinking whether his Father lies beneath the soil of several mass graves carved up into pieces or if he remains complete. This memory of mine lays as the ground to this commemoration, which marks 16 years after the biggest human atrocity in Europe after the Horrific Years of the Second World War. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is to bury an additional 613 of 8372 victims of Genocide. My Father has always taught me that a child is a child, and I wish to believe that a child remains a child in all´s eyes, regardless of ethnicity and identity. Yet despite this, thousands upon thousands of children vanished in thin air during the Aggression of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 1992 to 1995. Deprivation of human rights, denial of basic human commodities such as water, food and electricity, killings of fathers, mothers and siblings, in addition to being under constant terror, starvation and fear for, what seemed as an eternity. How is this so? How may this be a fact? If only I knew why the world chose to keep silent and go blind whilst Bosnia and Herzegovina was a place of hell on Earth; a place of torture and misery; a place where people were longing to taste---the---sweetness---of---death. Even more staggering is the, to say the least, the notion that 20,000 up to 50,000 women were systematically sexually abused during the Aggression. Just imagine what this makes of a child; knowing one’s father is killed or tortured in atrocious death camps and one’s mother suffering the psychological genocide of rape? Unsurprisingly enough, this brutal truth may come as a surprise to many given that the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Holocaust is history in the eyes of the world. Yet, for many children, the vicious past of the War remains very much present. Perhaps the time has come for the world to recognize the horrors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and---to---act---upon---them! I know my people. I am aware of our potential and I believe in our strength. Yet, the children of Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot blossom into the golden lilies they are if the world remains silent, thus does not acknowledge their aptitudes. All children matter; and all children, as well as all people are entitled to their rights as human beings! I pray that little boy has found his way in life, and that he has become a man of good, despite having--- a--- voiceless---Father. May grievance become hope; may revenge become justice; may mothers' tears become prayers, that Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Srebrenica never happens again; to no-one and nowhere! 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