Some events in history have a lasting impact across generations, and the genocide in Srebrenica is one such event. President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission has marked 30 years since this tragedy with a statement paying tribute to the more than 8,300 Bosniak boys and men who were killed, as well as those still missing.
Von der Leyen acknowledged the continuous grief of mothers, wives, and daughters who have borne the weight of loss for three decades. “It is our duty to remember and to preserve the truth,” she stated, emphasizing that future generations must understand what happened during the summer of 1995 when victims were executed within Srebrenica’s UN-designated ‘safe area.’
The European Union recognizes its past failures in preventing this genocide and vows never to allow history to be rewritten. Von der Leyen condemned any denial or minimization of the Srebrenica genocide and called upon political leaders, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the Western Balkans, to acknowledge established facts.
The EU remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward EU membership. “Your political leaders should do their part so your country can find its place at the heart of our Union,” said von der Leyen.
Paula Pinho serves as Chief Spokesperson for further contact details regarding this statement.
