Srebrenica Memorial Center Publishes Key Information on the Srebrenica Genocide, a Foundation for Public Communication and Education

(Patria) - The Srebrenica Memorial Center today published key information and messages accompanying the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in the United Nations safe area of Srebrenica in July 1995.

These are terms, data, and guidelines related to the anniversary commemoration, focused on the international public and how this topic is treated globally. These messages represent a foundation for public communication and education on historically and legally established facts of the genocide. Among other things, it states:

- Legally established genocide – The Srebrenica genocide of 1995 was legally confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- At least 8,372 victims – Among the killed and missing are men, boys, but also women, girls, and the elderly. Limiting the narrative to only “men and boys” diminishes the scale of the genocide.

- Systematic and planned crime – The genocide was planned and carried out by the political and military leadership of the self-proclaimed Republika Srpska, with direct control and support from the regime in Belgrade.

- Genocide convictions – To date, 54 individuals have been sentenced to a total of 781 years in prison, including five life sentences, for crimes related to Srebrenica.

- International armed conflict – The conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina was classified as international, given the direct involvement of Serbia and the JNA in supporting Serbian forces.

- Systematic concealment of the genocide – After the mass executions, bodies were moved to secondary and tertiary mass graves to conceal evidence.

- The Srebrenica Flower and the message “Our Story, Our Promise” – The symbol and message of the 30th anniversary emphasize the role of survivors as guardians of memory and truth.

- Srebrenica is not an isolated case – The Srebrenica genocide was the culmination of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniaks across BiH.

- Genocide denial and discrimination persist – In the Republika Srpska entity, institutional discrimination against Bosniaks, genocide denial, and glorification of war criminals remain present.

- UN recognized July 11 as International Day of Remembrance – The United Nations General Assembly in 2024 adopted a resolution declaring July 11 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide.