A lasting memorial has been created to honour the victims of the atrocities that took place in Srebrenica.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Alan Smith, unveiled a remembrance plaque during a tree dedication service in Jubilee Woods, Jarrow, to mark the 21st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The theme of this year’s milestone anniversary is 21: Coming of age – time to act, which aims to allow survivors to keep alive the memory of Srebrenica and to teach younger generations about the consequences of intolerance.
The Mayor said: “It is incredibly important that we pause and reflect on the consequences of allowing hatred and division to go unchallenged.
“Diversity should be celebrated and we must recognise our individual responsibility to protect it so everyone can feel safe within their own communities.
“It is hoped that by marking this poignant anniversary we can encourage people young and old across the borough to remember the importance of ensuring this kind of atrocity never happens again.”
He added: “This tree will act as a constant reminder of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as a peaceful place for people to pay their respects.”