Joint statement to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide 

"Today, we mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, one of the darkest chapters in European history. On 11 July 1995, over 8000 innocent men and boys were brutally murdered in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the Bosnian-Serb Army. This atrocity, perpetrated during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, intolerance, and xenophobia.

As we commemorate this solemn occasion, we pay tribute to the survivors and their families, who have endured unimaginable suffering and trauma. We also acknowledge the courage and resilience of those who have worked tirelessly to seek justice and accountability for these heinous crimes, through both the national criminal system of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The ICTY's work is an illustration of the crucial importance of international criminal justice and the need to preserve and further develop it. It is essential to conclude all the open war crimes proceedings without unnecessary delays, and hold those responsible for the genocide accountable for their crimes. Let us underline that the truth about the atrocities needs to be universally recognised, and establishing 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration for the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica was a step towards this aim. We must preserve the memory of the victims while rejecting any denial, revisionism, denial or misinterpretation of the genocide, to learn from the past in order to build a better future.

The Srebrenica genocide is a painful reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and reconciliation in the region. It highlights the need for continued efforts to strengthen the rule of law, promote human rights, and address the legacy of the past, including through education, remembrance, and reconciliation initiatives. We call on all stakeholders, including governments, civil society and international organisations, to work together to achieve this goal.

On this sombre occasion, we reiterate our commitment to work towards a Europe and a world where such atrocities can never happen again, and where human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are upheld for all. The European Parliament remains steadfast in its commitment to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as that of all Western Balkan countries. Regional cooperation and the European integration process provide the strongest foundation for reconciliation and overcoming divisions."


Office of David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs - +32 228 451 30 - david.mcallister@europarl.europa.eu

Office of Mounir Satouri, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human rights - +32 228 455 21 - mounir.satouri@europarl.europa.eu

Office of Davor Ivo Stier, Chair of the Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo (DSEE) - + 32 228 45 798 - davorivo.stier@europarl.europa.eu

Office of Ondřej Kolář, EP Rapporteur on Bosnia and Herzegovina, +32 228 45 596 - ondrej.kolar@europarl.europa.eu