Organisers of a memorial service held to remember those killed in the Srebrenica genocide have spoken of their plans to encourage Scotland to learn lessons from the massacre, which has been described as the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War.
Almost 8,400 mainly Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered in the town by Serb forces on July 11 1995 during the Bosnian war.
Survivors and their families were among 150 guests who attended the event at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh on Friday.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke at the service, which was led by the Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
It was organised by a handful of people who only set up the Scottish arm of the UK charitable initiative Remembering Srebrenica four months ago.
Remembering Srebrenica Scotland board chair, the Very Rev Dr Lorna Hood, said: "The inaugural meeting of the new board was on March 10. That night there was myself and four others. We really did start from scratch. We had nothing. It was a huge task and there were a lot of sleepless nights.
"We had no idea whether people would be willing to get involved. There were a lot of emails and phone calls and all the rest of it.
"After the event, it was worth it. We were more than delighted with how it went, particularly to have the youth organisations and the different faith communities involved. And the First Minster could not have been more helpful. She said right away that she would speak and host a reception. She couldn't have been more accommodating and supportive."
The board now has plans to further increase awareness of the Srebrenica genocide in Scotland.
Dr Hood said: "The next meeting of the board is in August and we'll decide then where to go from here. After the service yesterday a number of people said they are willing to see what we can do next year."
Board member David Hamilton, who was an aid worker in Srebrenica during the conflict, said: "We've obviously only been doing this for four months so it's tremendous that people are now talking about it.
"We been energised by the service and meeting the survivors. We'd like to start an education programme in schools, send delegations to Srebrenica, and we've also got aspirations to get a legal conference together looking at aspects of it, as well as some kind of arts event."
An international commemoration of the Srebrenica massacre was marred yesterday as people pelted Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic with water bottles, stones and other missiles.
Dr Hood said: "It's unfortunate. I know there are still tensions. The people of Bosnia are still very hurt and angry that there are those in Serbia will still not admit that it was genocide and not say where a number of mass graves are.
"There are still people to be found and they know there are people who know where they are but won't say. So, there is hurt and pain but that is no excuse for what happened to the Prime Minister."
The St Giles service on Friday was followed by a reception at nearby Parliament Hall, hosted by the First Minister.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Today, two decades on from the genocide at Srebrenica, we honour both its victims and survivors in our commemorations.
"We must also pause and realise the real consequences of allowing hatred and division to go unchallenged. We must recognise our responsibility to ensure that diversity is celebrated and protected so that everyone, regardless of their race, faith or nationality, can feel safe and be safe in their own communities."
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