KARAN: MIDDLE PODRINJE AND BIRAČ SAW THE MOST BRUTAL KILLINGS OF SERBS

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 29 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan said that Serbs in the Middle Podrinje and Birač region were killed in the most brutal manner, describing the killings as a systematic campaign of extermination carried out between 1992 and 1995.

Karan said that over the past three decades a narrative had been built portraying the Serb people as aggressors on their own land and in their own homes.

"Civilians were killed, mostly during our major religious holidays. At the same time, historical truth has been distorted, which is why these commemorations are important - to preserve the historical facts," Karan told reporters in Banja Luka after a meeting with representatives of institutions and organizations preparing for the observance of the 34th anniversary of the suffering of Serbs in the Middle Podrinje and Birač region.

He also said that judicial institutions had, for years, failed to deliver justice for Serb victims.

"We demand, and will continue to demand, equal treatment for all victims," Karan said.

Republika Srpska, he added, was established as a response to what he described as the injustice suffered by the Serb people over many years, providing them with a place where they would be the safest.

"This year's slogan says that no one is invited to Bratunac, people simply come to Bratunac. Even so, we call on young people, children, and all citizens of Republika Srpska to come with dignity to the commemoration of the suffering of Serbs in the Middle Podrinje and Birač region and pay special tribute to the victims," Karan said.

He stated that the organizing committee had completed all preparations and that everything was in place for the observance of what he described as an important historical anniversary.

A memorial service for the 3,267 Serb soldiers and civilians killed in the Middle Podrinje and Birač region during the Homeland-Defense War will be held in Bratunac on Saturday, July 4.