Canada marks 31st anniversary of Srebrenica genocide with nationwide memorial events

According to the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada (IGC), Mayor Chow emphasized in the proclamation the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, recognized the Bosnian and Herzegovinian community in Toronto for its continued efforts to promote a culture of remembrance, which contributes to the city's social, cultural, economic and civic life, and reaffirmed Toronto's commitment to combating racism, discrimination, xenophobia, hatred and intolerance.

Canada officially designated July 11 as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day through a parliamentary resolution adopted in 2010. The legislatures of Canada's provinces and territories have also passed resolutions recognizing the Srebrenica genocide.

In addition to the memorial in Windsor, preparations are underway to erect monuments dedicated to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

This year, the mayors of Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Calgary, Ottawa, Windsor, and Edmonton issued proclamations declaring July 11 as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day.

The Srebrenica genocide is already included in the curriculum of Canadian schools. In Hamilton, students formed the Srebrenica Flower with their bodies, while the city's electronic landmark was illuminated in the flower's blue and white colors. A display in front of Hamilton City Hall reads: "July 11 Srebrenica Memorial Day – Paying Tribute to the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide."

The clock tower at the Mississauga Civic Centre is illuminated in blue and yellow every July 11 to mark Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day. The city officially commemorates the date each year in honor of the victims of the 1995 genocide, reaffirming its commitment to opposing hatred and promoting human rights. The blue and yellow colors reflect the national flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Memorial events marking the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide are being held across Canada, with the country's central commemoration taking place on July 11 in Windsor, in front of the first monument to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide erected in the Bosnian diaspora.

On the occasion of the anniversary, a delegation from the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada and representatives of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian diaspora in Canada visited the mayors of Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga, and Ottawa to recognize their efforts in institutionalizing the culture of remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide.