Platform remembers Srebrenica

We partnered with a number of local organisations in delivering this year’s commemoration of Srebrenica Memorial Week in Worcester, an event that remembers those who were murdered in the Bosnian Genocide.

We were joined by guest speaker Aida Haughton MBE, a British Bosnian living in Stoke-on-Trent since 2010 who delivered a workshop on the 10 stages of genocide.

We were also joined by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Mel Allcott to remember the atrocity and pledge to learn the lessons from the genocide to ensure it does not happen again.

This year’s theme was 'I am because you are.’

Councillor Mel Allcott said : “In 1995, more than 8000 Muslims were murdered in an appalling genocide.  We need to reflect on the fact that genocides do not happen suddenly, they do not happen overnight and they do not occur out of nothing.  Every single genocide is preceded by a slow and pernicious process of deterioration that undermines and ultimately destroys the links bonding us as human beings.  To avoid repeating humanity’s worst mistakes we need first to remember them and that is why events such as these are so important.”

A teenager turned UN interpreter overnight in a war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina left Aida with experiences she has been sharing with the British public since 2014.

Aida organises educational trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina, memorials, workshops and public talks to raise awareness of the consequences of war, hate speech and war trauma.

Tom Piotrowski, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Platform Housing Group said : “Platform Housing Group continues to support communities in developing their cohesion and resilience necessary to challenging all forms of prejudice, hatred and discrimination.  As we saw from the workshop delivered by Aida, the unspeakable horrors of past genocides were proceeded by low level discrimination and hate crime which then evolved into more sinister forms of persecution.  We want to remain deeply aware of that fact and do our bit in building stronger communities in which diversity is celebrated and not discriminated against.”

The extent of Aida’s work was recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list when she was awarded an MBE.  Aida’s latest achievement is a documentary piece of theatre called ‘My Thousand Year Old Land’; viewed in more than 22 countries the piece is based on testimonies of Bosnian genocide and war survivors, using their own words to educate on what happened 29 years ago as well as to prevent such atrocities ever happening again.

Remembering Srebrenica was founded in 2013 and has taken more than 1450 British citizens to Srebrenica to learn about the genocide through the Lessons from Srebrenica programme which is funded by central government.

Aida, also a Board member of Remembering Srebrenica West Midlands, said : “Our difficulties have continued even if the war ended 29 years ago. Whilst our pain and suffering are not represented throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is here in Britain that activists and organisations like Remembering Srebrenica Bosnia UK Network and New Vic Borderlines, help to raise awareness of the genocide and provide a platform for the survivors.  Most of all, it remembers the innocent people that were killed and stand in solidarity with the victims.  This act of remembrance means more than you will ever know.”

Platform Housing Group has been partnering with Remembering Srebrenica Foundation in educational and commemorative work within the community since 2018.

Platform Housing Group’s Diversity Champions programme focuses on LGBT, religion and belief, disabilities and lifelong conditions like autism, ethnic minorities and other diversity strands.  Currently employees volunteer within an area of interest and customers are also encouraged to take part.

For further information, please contact Tom Piotrowski, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Platform Housing Group at Tom.Piotrowski@Platformhg.com.

Photo caption :  l to r, Tom Piotrowski, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Platform Housing Group, Brendon Bayliss, an actor with New Vic, Aida Haughton, Bosnian war survivor and the event’s keynote speaker, Councillor Jabba Riaz, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Communities Committee at Worcester City Council and Paul Edwards, Community Engagement Officer at Platform Housing Group