Thousands from Bosnia-Herzegovina and around the world gathered in Srebrenica to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1995 massacre in which more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were brutally killed. The solemn event, held on July 11th, marked a day of remembrance for the victims and a call for justice and peace in the region.
The Srebrenica massacre, also known as the Srebrenica genocide, was one of the worst atrocities committed during the Bosnian War. It took place in the town of Srebrenica, located in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was designated as a “safe area” by the United Nations. However, in July 1995, Bosnian Serb forces under the command of General Ratko Mladić, overran the town and systematically killed Bosniak men and boys, while forcibly removing women, children, and elderly from the area. This horrific event was declared as an act of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre was a significant moment for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the international community to come together and remember the victims, honor their lives, and pay tribute to their families. The commemoration was attended by survivors, families of the victims, government officials, and international dignitaries, including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.
The ceremony began with a minute of silence to honor the victims, followed by prayers and speeches from survivors and family members. The emotional speeches were a reminder of the pain and suffering that the survivors and families have endured for the past three decades. They called for justice and accountability for the perpetrators and urged the international community to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
The commemoration was also a moment for the international community to reflect on its failure to protect the people of Srebrenica. The UN had declared the town as a “safe area,” but it failed to provide adequate protection, allowing the massacre to take place. The UN Secretary-General acknowledged this failure and expressed his deep regret for the UN’s inability to prevent the tragedy. He also called for a renewed commitment to prevent such atrocities in the future.
The commemoration also included a march, known as the “Peace March,” which retraced the steps of the Bosniak men and boys who fled Srebrenica in 1995. The march, which has been held every year since 2005, is a symbol of remembrance and a call for peace and reconciliation. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the march was limited to a small number of participants, but it was live-streamed for people around the world to join and show their support.
The 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre was also a moment to honor the victims through art and culture. A memorial concert was held, featuring renowned musicians and artists from Bosnia-Herzegovina and around the world. The concert was a powerful tribute to the victims and a message of hope and unity for the future.
The commemoration ended with a symbolic flower-laying ceremony, where thousands of red and white flowers were placed on the graves of the victims. The red flowers symbolize the blood of the victims, while the white flowers represent hope for a peaceful future.
The 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre was a powerful and emotional event that brought together people from all over the world to remember the victims and honor their lives. It was a reminder of the need for justice, accountability, and reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the world. The international community must continue to work towards preventing such atrocities and promoting peace and tolerance. As we remember the victims of Srebrenica, let us also strive for a world where such tragedies never happen again.
