Original article (in Serbian) was published on 24/5/2024; Author: Stefan Kosanović
Prior to attending the United Nations General Assembly, where the Srebrenica Resolution was voted on, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was depicted by tabloids as a superhero embarking on a ‘challenging and difficult’ journey. Following the adoption of the Resolution, he wore the Serbian tricolor as a symbol of this media portrayal. Numerous tabloids reported that Vučić defied the opposition of the UN General Assembly President and security personnel by wearing the flag. They claimed he lashed out when asked to remove it. However, the UN has confirmed that these events did not occur, stating the session proceeded peacefully without any incidents.
On May 23, 2024 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution declaring July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica. This resolution also condemns the denial of genocide and the glorification of war criminals.
According to the tabloids, the session was marked by an event which occurred after the resolution was voted when President Vucic covered himself with the flag of Serbia.
“Vučič wrapped himself in the tricolor, the security demanded that he take it off, he snapped at them!” the newspaper Alo writes, “SECURITY ASKED VUCIC TO REMOVE THE FLAG! The President sent powerful words: No one in the world will take away my flag!”, this is the headline of the web portal Srbija danas, while the web portal Una claims ””No one will take away my flag”: The picture that went around the world – Vucic covered in the tricolor in the General Assembly of UN.”
Numerous web portals that wrote about this described the following sequence of events: As a sign of protest and courage, Vucic wrapped himself in the flag of Serbia despite the opposition of the President of the UN General Assembly. Security then requested that the President of Serbia take down the flag, to which Vucic replied: “No one in the world will take my flag from me.”
The same can be seen in yesterday’s live broadcast of the UN General Assembly, but at no time can you hear or see the protest of the President of the UN General Assembly. Also, during the broadcast, it was not possible to see or hear that the security came to Vucic or said anything to him about the flag.
The media team of the United Nations stated that there was no protest because of Vucic wearing the flag.
“None of that happened. There were no problems during the session”, confirmed the spokesman of the United Nations Secretary-General, Stefan Duzarik.
Despite nothing happening, it seemed to be important news for many media, and incorrect information was reported incorrect information, either partially or entirely, by numerous web portals, such as: B92, Pink, Una, Kurir, Srbija danas, Telegraf, Novosti, Politika, Alo, RTV, 021, NSuzivo, Serbian times, Pancevac-online, Radio televizija Krusevac, Happy, N1, Informer, 24sedam, Nedeljnik, Aljazeera, novine Alo, Politika, etc.
Flag Displays at State Summit and Throughout City Streets
Photos of Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and ministers draped in Serbian flags, just like the president, became very viral on social networks. They watched the broadcast of the General Assembly of the United Nations together at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic.
After voting, convoys of vehicles decorated with identical Serbian flags appeared on the streets of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis.
The International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice in The Hague declared the crime in Srebrenica to be genocide. For the murder of over eight thousand Bosniaks and other war crimes in the Srebrenica region, more than 50 people were sentenced to a total of about 700 years in prison.
