Koski on the 30th Anniversary of the Genocide: The pain caused by these crimes continues to echo through generations

(Patria) - Chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy in Sarajevo Daniel Koski addressed the Bosnian public today on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.

"This year we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, which represents an important and painful turning point for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thirty years ago, more than eight thousand innocent men and boys were taken from their families and brutally murdered.

The pain caused by these crimes continues to echo through generations, in the hearts of mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, and friends who still mourn them.

On this day, I reflect on how immense that loss is. But I also reflect on the strength of those who continue to remember the victims.

I admire community leaders, teachers, and keepers of history who ensure that these stories are never forgotten.

They ensure that their prematurely ended lives are not lost in vain, but that they will change something.

Their courage and resilience testify to the strength of the human spirit. They remind us that remembrance is not passive, but active, powerful, and crucial.

The United States of America stands in solidarity with the victims and their families. We support efforts to achieve justice and to bring perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.

Throughout these years, we have supported the Srebrenica Memorial Center and those who work to preserve the personal belongings of the victims, document their stories, and provide a place for reflection and learning.

That work helps future generations understand the price people pay for hatred, violence, and indifference.

Commemorating the genocide must not be just a remembrance of the past; it is also a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to peace, empathy, dignity, and justice; it is transforming tragedy into a reason for hope.

The United States continues its unwavering commitment to peace, reconciliation, and coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina to build a future where such suffering will never happen again.

As we remember those we have lost today, let us also acknowledge the quiet heroism of those who continue to search for the remains of the missing, care for the bereaved, teach the truth, and create space for healing. Their work is irreplaceable.

On this thirtieth anniversary, I express my deepest respect to the victims of Srebrenica and to all in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world who stand with them. The road to healing is long, but you are not alone on that path.

We remember the dead. We honor the living. And we continue our commitment to a future based on peace and shared humanity," Koski said.