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Potočari, (Fena) – In the Memorial Center in Potočari, the 29th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in the UN “Safe Zone” of Srebrenica was marked today, and the burial of 14 identified genocide victims from July 1995 was conducted. So far, 6,765 victims have been buried in the Memorial Center, and around a thousand genocide victims in Srebrenica are still being searched for.
For the first time this year, July 11 is also being observed as the “International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide,” following the adoption of the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide by the United Nations General Assembly on June 23.
The families of the victims, numerous citizens, domestic and international officials paid tribute to the innocent victims.
– Let the memory of Srebrenica strengthen our collective determination to build a world free from the scourge of genocide, where justice and peace prevail – said the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide.
The United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael J. Murphy said that on the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the people of the United States stand in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and families mourning their loved ones.
He highlighted that the annual commemoration of this tragedy serves as a reminder that society, political leaders, and institutions at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a significant responsibility to recognize and accept the facts about the Srebrenica genocide.
The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt stated that the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide condemns any denial of the genocide and all actions that glorify those convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. According to him, it is a clear expression of the international commitment to preserving the dignity of the survivors and respecting the legacy of the deceased.
The head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Johann Sattler, stated that this is his fifth attendance at the commemoration, adding that peace is fragile or weakened.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović stated on Thursday that remembering the Srebrenica victims is important as a warning to future generations so that such crimes never happen again. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that Croatia stands in solidarity with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated in his social media post that based on the resolutions of the Parliament of Kosovo, the European Parliament, and recently the UN General Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo observed a minute of silence as it joined other countries in marking July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide.
The President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video message that Turkey will continue to do everything in its power to transform Bosnia and Herzegovina into a place of stability, peace, and prosperity and to provide unconditional support for the territorial integrity, political unity, and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On the first International Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide, the British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Julian Reilly paid tribute to the victims with respect, together with their families and survivors. We remember, added the Ambassador, because it is the only way to build a better future.
The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity, Nermin Nikšić, said today in Srebrenica that it would have been good “for us to take the opportunity today to all gather here, to call things by their proper names, to say that there was genocide here, that it is a fact, to apologize, and to state that none of those who are here today committed it.”
Although he harshly denied that genocide was committed in Srebrenica in the past few days, the President of the Republika Srpska entity Milorad Dodik stated on the social network X today, noting that a few days ago, Serbs paid dignified respect to Serbian victims in Podrinje and that Bosniaks are remembering their victims today and paying them respect.
– Just as I expressed sorrow for the fallen Serbs, I express my condolences to the families of the fallen Bosniaks. Despite our differences, we must show respect for the pain and suffering that many people of all nations and faiths in Bosnia and Herzegovina have endured. I urge all citizens to spend today in an atmosphere of peace, avoid any provocations, and behave responsibly and respectfully – emphasized Dodik.
The Chairman of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the President of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Čović, sent a message on the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.
– Today, on the 29th anniversary of the horrific crime, the world collectively remembers the pain and victims of Srebrenica. Let the memory of the Srebrenica genocide and all the innocent lives taken be a permanent obligation to preserve peace, but also a warning that such evil should never happen again – said Čović. (11.7.)