THE United Nations approved a resolution on Thursday night establishing an annual day to commemorate the 1995 genocide of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims by Bosnian Serbs, a move vehemently opposed by Serbs, who claim it will brand them all as “genocidal” supporters of the mass killing.

The vote by the 193-member general assembly was 84-19, with 68 nations abstaining, a reflection of concerns among many countries about the impact of the vote on reconciliation efforts in deeply divided Bosnia.

Supporters had hoped for 100 Yes votes, but Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, who voted against the resolution, pointed out to the assembly that the abstentions and No votes, together totalling 87, exceeded the 84 votes in favour.