The truth about the Srebrenica genocide is a universal message that belongs to humanity

(Patria) - The conference "Srebrenica 30 Years After the Genocide - Remembrance, Responsibility and Challenges of Denial" was officially opened tonight in Sarajevo City Hall.

The goal of the conference is clear - the truth about the Srebrenica genocide is a universal message that belongs to humanity, confirmed by the presence of around forty of the most prominent scientists and researchers from domestic and world universities, from the USA, through the United Kingdom, Rwanda and Australia, all the way to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The fight against genocide denial is not only our obligation - it is a universal fight against hatred, which always begins with denial and ends with violence, it was said tonight from the City Hall in Sarajevo.



- Today, thirty years later, may Srebrenica remain a source of our strength. Because universal thought teaches us that tolerance is the highest degree of power - and the desire for revenge is the first sign of weakness.

And that our greatest strength, our greatest victory, lies precisely in our unwavering persistence that we do not want revenge, but justice. Because Srebrenica is not the defeat of the victim, it is the humiliation of the criminal. Srebrenica is not an expression of weakness, but a victory of the spirit of goodness.

Srebrenica is not and cannot be forgotten because it replaced life with integrity. And as a University, in the name of all of us who believe in education as the foundation of a more just society, we will continue to learn, teach, research, remember and testify - stated the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Tarik Zaimović.


Tarik Zaimović

- I am convinced that this conference will result in relevant conclusions and scientific papers that will be the basis for concrete actions, both within the University of Sarajevo - through curricula, research projects and institutional initiatives, and for politicians, decision-makers, the international community and other relevant actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to work together on improving social awareness, justice and building lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Muamer Džananović, Director of the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo.


Muamer Džananović

As part of tonight's program, soprano Lejla Jusić performed the composition "Što te nema" accompanied by guitarist Džanin Zeković.

With this composition, Jusić opened last month's commemorative gathering marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in and around Srebrenica at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, where, in the presence of high-ranking political dignitaries from the United Kingdom and Bosnia and Herzegovina, three decades since the largest genocide in Europe after World War II were marked.



On the second day of the conference, five panel discussions will be held at the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo, addressing different perspectives of the genocide, from legal issues, geopolitical circumstances and genocide denial.

On the third day of the conference, a full-day visit to the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari is planned, where conference participants will attend a lecture and see on site the environment in which the genocide against Bosniaks in and around Srebrenica was committed.