Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly, began his speech at the first commemoration for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide by reminding everyone that the greatest atrocity in Europe since World War II occurred in this Bosnian town.

Francis stated, “The lessons from Srebrenica are clear…”

“When intolerance and bigotry are allowed to flourish, it culminates in atrocities that are incomprehensible. We must always be vigilant against the dehumanization and degradation of any group, as this leads to unspeakable evil. It is crucial to prosecute the remaining perpetrators of the Srebrenica genocide,” he emphasized.

Francis added that we must reject attempts to forget or deny the magnitude of this crime, recalling that the General Assembly proclaimed July 11 as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Genocide to honor survivors who tirelessly fight to preserve the memory of Srebrenica and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

“Denial of genocide will not lead to justice and peace,” Francis stressed, noting that it is the duty of every nation, regardless of its distance from Bosnia and Herzegovina or its own history, to respect the decisions of international courts that bring justice to survivors and prevent genocide within their borders.

Francis concluded that today’s commemoration is more important than ever due to the increasingly divisive and loud rhetoric.

“It offers an opportunity for significant social transformation, from Europe to the Middle East,” he said, concluding his speech by emphasizing that seeking justice and truth is the only path to lasting peace.