Representatives Bell, Wagner, Issue Statement on Escalating Pressure on Srebrenica Memorial Center and Staff
The statement comes after 26 current and former employees of the Srebrenica Memorial Center were summoned for police questioning by the Zvornik Police Department
Congressman Bell and Congresswoman Wagner are two the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bosnia Caucus in the House of Representatives
Missouri’s 1st district has the largest Bosnian population outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) and Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), issued the following statement on the Zvornik Police Department's summoning of 26 current and former Srebrenica Memorial Center staff for questioning.
Bell and Wagner are two of the Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Bosnia Caucus in Congress and also represent the St. Louis region, which hosts the largest Bosnian population outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"We are deeply troubled by reports that current and former staff of the Srebrenica Memorial Center have been called in for questioning by Republika Srpska authorities.
The scope and the timing of these summonses raise serious alarm — especially given that the Memorial Center's work is essential to safeguarding the historical record, honoring those who were killed, and defending human rights.
We urge the relevant authorities to respect the rule of law, protect the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions, and allow the Memorial Center to carry out its vital mission without fear of intimidation.”
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Wesley Bell is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's First Congressional District, which includes St. Louis City and a portion of St. Louis County. He is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, House Armed Services Committee, and House Foreign Affairs Committee.