Presidential Award honors Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE for Srebrenica Remembrance efforts

The award was presented by Presidency member Zeljko Komsic during Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day celebrations at Bosnia House in Birmingham. This high honour reflects Dr. Azmi's relentless work in raising awareness of the Srebrenica genocide and actively combating hatred and intolerance to foster a more cohesive society in the UK. Furthermore, his efforts have strengthened UK and international support for peace, justice, and long-term stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the Founder and National Chair of Remembering Srebrenica UK, Dr. Azmi has successfully transformed the organization from an initial single initiative into a globally respected movement. Under his leadership, the organization has educated more than 250,000 young people about the genocide and empowered 1,500 Community Champions to challenge hatred. Each July, approximately 2,000 memorial events and activities are now held across the UK in schools, police forces, workplaces, town halls, places of worship, and community centres. His work has cemented Srebrenica Memorial Day firmly within the national calendar, ensuring the victims' memory and the lessons from Srebrenica are safeguarded for future generations.

Dr. Azmi’s impact was achieved by building a nationwide infrastructure for Remembering Srebrenica UK, establishing eight regional boards across England and three national boards in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This structure mobilizes thousands of volunteers, educators, civic leaders, and faith representatives to lead commemorations, deliver educational programs, and enhance community cohesion nationwide.

His dedication is held in such high regard that the UK Bosnian community elected him as President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network, the national body representing the voice of 10,000 Bosnians living in the United Kingdom. Dr. Azmi’s work has ensured Srebrenica is known to the British public in an unprecedented way, promoting genocide education in schools, and has been instrumental in shaping UK policy and public attitudes toward Bosnia and Herzegovina. His leadership has helped guarantee the genocide is properly understood in Westminster, that Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty is supported, and that efforts by nationalist leaders like Dodik and Vucic, who are backed by Russia, to provoke instability are challenged at the highest levels of British politics.

Upon receiving the Presidential Award, Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE stated: "It is truly humbling to receive such a prestigious honour. I accept it on behalf of all our regional and national boards and our volunteers, who like me, are driven by the desire to honour the innocent victims of the genocide and the courage of those who lived through the darkest moments in European history. Our collective determination is clear: we must ensure that such hatred is never allowed to take root again".