The Parliament of Catalonia has issued a declaration on the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, saying it marked the darkest chapter in Europe’s recent history since World War II. On this day in 1995, over eight thousand Bosnian men and boys were systematically executed by the Bosnian Serb forces, a tragedy officially recognized as genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

The Parliament’s statement highlights the significance of remembering the victims and emphasizes that this massacre is the only legally established genocide in Europe post-World War II. The declaration criticizes the international community’s failure to prevent the tragedy despite Srebrenica being designated a “safe area” by the United Nations.

“This tragedy is especially relevant today, as the Europe that said ‘never again’ after the Nuremberg trials wavers and is called into question and suffered another genocide decades later. It is necessary to claim the Europe that vowed to resolve political conflicts among Europeans solely through the ballot box and within the framework of democratic principles,” the Declaration states.

Catalonia played a notable role during the Bosnian War, providing refuge and support to those affected. Today, the Parliament said, it continues to stand in solidarity, preserving the memory of the victims and denouncing the atrocities committed. The Parliament underscores the importance of memory in preventing revisionism and promoting reconciliation.

The declaration also calls for reaffirming the principles of democracy and human rights, urging Europe to resolve political conflicts peacefully and through democratic processes. As Europe faces contemporary challenges, the Parliament of Catalonia reiterates its commitment to upholding these values, advocating for a future of peace and freedom.