Canada's Capital Declares July 11th Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide Victims

(Patria) - The Mayor of Canada's capital, Ottawa, Mark Sutcliffe, has declared July 11, 2025, as the Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide Victims, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in contemporary European history.

In an official proclamation, the City of Ottawa pays tribute to the victims of the genocide and reaffirms its commitment to a culture of remembrance, truth, justice, and human dignity. “By remembering the Srebrenica genocide, we commit to always defending truth, justice, the culture of remembrance, and the human dignity of the victims, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world,” the document states.

The City of Ottawa emphasizes that it will continue to act institutionally against the denial of genocide, the relativization of judicial and historical facts, and against the glorification of war criminals. “This is not just a matter of the past, but a pledge for a safer and more just future,” the proclamation states.

On the occasion of this decision, the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada (IGK) called on the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Canada to lower the flag at half-mast at the BiH Embassy building in Ottawa on July 11, in accordance with this proclamation, but also in the spirit of earlier decisions by the Parliament of Canada and relevant BiH institutions.

The proclamation reminds that the Parliament of Canada adopted a resolution in 2010, unanimously recognizing the Srebrenica genocide and declaring July 11 as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims. In 2024, Canada also joined as a sponsor of the UN General Assembly Resolution, which made this day the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide.

The City of Ottawa, as stated, expresses solidarity with the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through this symbolic gesture and supports the fight for truth, justice, and reconciliation.