From Councillor Usaama Kaweesa, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
This month marks 30 years since the genocide in Srebrenica, the worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War. More than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered simply for being who they were. Thousands of women were raped, abused, or forced to watch their families torn apart.
I visited Srebrenica a few years ago as part of a delegation with Remembering Srebrenica. It’s something I will never forget. I remember walking through thousands of gravestones, hearing from survivors, and sitting with families who had lost everything. Some of the children who lived through it still have no photos of their fathers or brothers, only memories.
One of the mothers we met told us, “Take a bit of our pain and teach others about it.” Those words have never left me.
Since that visit, I’ve carried a sense of duty. As a local councillor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services here in Merton, I think a lot about how we make sure young people understand the consequences of hate, division and dehumanisation. Because remembering isn’t about looking backwards. It’s about shaping what we do next.
We’re lucky to live in a borough as diverse and vibrant as Merton. But that doesn’t mean we’re immune to the dangers of division. And, in a world where people are still being targeted for who they are, the message of Srebrenica feels more urgent than ever.
In my role, I’ve seen how powerful it is when we give children and young people the tools to speak out, learn about the world, and build bridges. I’ve seen it in our youth programmes, in school discussions, and in the young leaders growing up right here in Merton, many of whom come from communities affected by war or discrimination. There is so much potential here. So much hope.
This 30th anniversary is a moment to reflect, and to keep building communities where every child feels safe, valued and heard. To make sure we tell the truth about what happened in Srebrenica, and why it matters.
Remembering Srebrenica reminds me of why I do this work. And why I believe in the power of local action, even in the face of global injustice.
We must be steadfast in our commitment to speaking out against hatred and division, and foster a culture of inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect for our children and young people.