London: Genocide survivors, diplomats, and community and civic leaders came together as the UK marked the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide on 17th July 2024 in the Locarno Suite at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, London. The event commemorated those killed in the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. The newly elected Labour Government’s Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP, hosted the national ceremony at the Foreign Office with the Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Denis Bećirović, as the keynote speaker.
The UK is the only country outside Bosnia that commemorates the Srebrenica genocide at a national level. This event was one of over a thousand events and activities taking place across Britain this week, organised by the charity Remembering Srebrenica UK. Diverse communities across the UK are holding memorial events and activities in schools, town halls, community centers, and places of worship to honor over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys murdered in just a few days in July 1995.
Chair of Remembering Srebrenica UK, Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE, said: “It is an enormous privilege that we are joined by the Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Denis Bećirović, for this year’s UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day. I am grateful to the newly elected Labour government for supporting this important occasion. This year’s UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day theme, ‘I am Because You Are,’ serves as a reminder that the common bonds we have as human beings are far more important than what divides us. Never has it been more important for us to learn from Srebrenica. Not only must we learn, but we must also act to dismantle the roots of Srebrenica genocide denial, hatred, and fear: by bringing communities together, facilitating open and honest dialogue, and transforming our narrative from one of division to one of unity.”
Musical performances were given by Elvir Solak and Lejla Jusic. Sara Hukic, a survivor, shared her story. On this occasion, Rt Hon Baroness Warsi, Former Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs; Sir Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office; Peter Osborne, Chair of Remembering Srebrenica Northern Ireland Board; and other leaders also paid tribute to the more than 8,000 Muslims who were martyred in Srebrenica.
At the end of the ceremony, the names of victims buried on 11th July 2024 were read by Sedin Sahman, Chief Imam of the Bosnian Community in Great Britain, on stage. Bosnian children Amar Zulic and Ajla Vukalic also offered special prayers for the martyrs.
Report by S M Irfan Tahir Photojournalist / Member National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Great Britain.
