As the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina look towards a brighter and more just future, it is imperative to work towards reconciliation, the US State Department said on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and commemoration for victims.

“Today marks 28 years since the Srebrenica genocide. The United States is committed to supporting victims, survivors, and the loved ones of the more than 8,000 men and boys who were murdered in Srebrenica in July 1995. We will never forget this day and will continue to support those searching for the missing, fighting for answers, caring for survivors, and pursuing justice for these atrocities,” the statement said.

It was emphasised that US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice Desirée Cormier Smith, and Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain were in Srebrenica to “honour the victims, stand in solidarity with mourners, and counter the denial of genocide.”

“As the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina look towards a brighter and more just future, it is imperative to work towards reconciliation. That requires acceptance of the incontrovertible facts of the Srebrenica genocide and other atrocities,” the State Department said in a press release., adding that the United States will continue to support a democratic, inclusive, and prosperous future for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The remains of another 30 victims have been buried on Tuesday at the Potocari Memorial Centre, with the youngest victim aged 15 at the time of the death and other two juvenile victims aged 16 and 17.

Over 8,000 persons were killed in the genocide, mainly men and boys. To date, the remains of 6,652 have been buried at the Potocari memorial. The remains of 237 have been buried elsewhere according to their families’ wishes.

For the Srebrenica genocide, the Hague war crimes tribunal sentenced to life former Bosnian Serb political and military leaders Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.