Srebrenica genocide 31st anniversary commemorations worldwide
The 31st anniversary of the July 1995 Srebrenica genocide was marked with a series of commemorations across Bosnia‑Herzegovina and abroad. In Potočari, Bosnia’s memorial centre, a peace march was held before the burial of ten newly identified victims, while Bosnian leaders—including Presidency Chair Denis Bećirović, Federation Prime Minister Nermina Nikšić and Defence Minister Zukan Helez—re‑affirmed the need to preserve the truth of the atrocity and to strengthen defence capacities. Turkish officials also issued messages, with Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and several party leaders pledging that “Srebrenica will never be forgotten.” A ceremony in Manisa’s Sultan Mosque featured prayers and statements that the massacre is a shared humanitarian wound.
In Serbia, the anniversary sparked incidents of denial, including SRS posters praising Ratko Mladić and attacks on a planned commemoration venue; President Aleksandar Vučić condemned the denial and called for respect for the victims. Albania’s foreign minister Ferit Hoxha warned that genocide denial is an assault on victims’ dignity. Croatia’s city of Split organised a memorial walk, and other European essays and religious reflections highlighted the event’s moral and legal significance.
International actors also participated: the United Nations’ resolution designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection on Srebrenica, the Dutch ambassador’s call for education, Pakistan’s prime minister and London’s mayor publicly condemned the killings, and human‑rights organisations drew parallels with current conflicts. The commemorations underscored the ongoing need for justice, remembrance and prevention of future atrocities.