Macron: Srebrenica is a lasting scar on Europe’s conscience

“Srebrenica remains a permanent scar in the collective memory of Europe and the world. It calls us to stay true to the truth and to strive for justice,” Macron stated in the opening of his address.

The French president emphasised that truth, in this context, means full recognition of and confrontation with the scale of the crime, which, as he noted, stemmed from ethnic hatred. He acknowledged the failure of the international community to protect innocent civilians in July 1995.

“This recognition must not remain just words. It is an acknowledgement of failure with the goal of ensuring that such evil is never repeated. It must serve as the foundation upon which a shared future is built,” Macron stressed.

He further highlighted the importance of justice, underlining that it requires respect for the rulings of international courts and the unwavering rejection of all forms of revisionism or genocide denial. Such denial, he said, has no place in societies aspiring to join the European Union.

“Memory demands courage to build peace and trust every day, without exclusion,” Macron declared.

Drawing a parallel to France’s own history, Macron invoked the post-World War II reconciliation with Germany as a model for nations recovering from deep divisions.

“France is proud to have built a stable and promising future with Germany after the war. And today, France stands with you, in support of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the difficult but necessary road to reconciliation, lasting peace, and progress within a united Europe,” Macron concluded.

Today marks three decades since the genocide in Srebrenica. At the Srebrenica Memorial Centre in Potocari, a funeral prayer and burial will be held for seven newly identified victims of the 1995 massacre.