Srebrenica: Statement of Commemoration

“This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, in which over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered in the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. As an organisation we believe that we must ensure that we never forget about the genocide and reaffirm our commitment to standing up against hatred and prejudice.

This year’s Srebrenica Memorial Day Theme is “Rebuilding Lives”. In albeit very different ways the Covid pandemic has brought loss and difficulties to millions, shattering individuals and communities, who are now looking to rebuild their lives.

And as we move forwards to rebuilding our communities in the wake of the many health and economic challenges which people with divisive agendas are all too keen to exploit, we will remember the spirit of genocide survivors who, despite the horrendous hatred and destruction they were subjugated to themselves, have been rebuilding their lives with dignity, humanity and without calling for retribution or promoting division or hatred. This is all the more remarkable and inspiring given what they went through.

We, therefore, reaffirm our commitment to working towards the elimination of discrimination, rejecting hatred and intolerance and helping to build a more safer, stronger and cohesive society here in the UK.”

Find out more about Srebrenica on the Remembering Srebrenica website.

Listen to the testimonies of Bosnian women:

• Breaking the Silence – The Women of Bosnia: This film features two women, Bakira Hasečić and ‘Mirsada’.
• Remembering Srebrenica Survivor Testimony: Mejra Džogaz – Mother of Srebrenica
• Remembering Srebrenica Survivor Testimony: Nirha Efendić – Srebrenica Survivor
• Remembering Srebrenica Survivor Testimony: Dr Fatima Dautbašić-Klempić – Srebrenica Survivor
• Remembering Srebrenica Survivor Testimony: Ramiza Gurdić – Mother of Srebrenica