Zeljko Komsic warns of dangers of genocide denial and passive remembrance

Marking the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, Komsic paid tribute to the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys systematically murdered in July 1995. He highlighted the ongoing pain of families still searching for their loved ones' remains. Despite the perpetrators' attempts to erase an entire community, Komsic emphasized that the resilience of survivors and the Mothers of Srebrenica proves hatred did not win.

He warned of the dangerous rise in genocide denial, the glorification of convicted war criminals, and the dehumanization of Bosniaks by certain political actors. Komsic noted that the genocide is a legally established historical fact and that remembering it affirms universal values like human dignity and accountability.

Connecting past atrocities to modern global challenges, Komsic described the immense suffering in Gaza as a profound moral test for the international community and international law, comparing the situation to the failures that allowed the genocides in both Srebrenica and Gaza to occur. He emphasized that genocide begins long before the killing starts, taking root when intolerance becomes acceptable and indifference replaces moral courage.

Concluding his address, Komsic expressed deep gratitude to the United Kingdom for providing safety to survivors and praised the Remembering Srebrenica organization for its educational efforts. He reminded the audience that preserving the memory of the victims is a vital promise to the future, challenging the next generation to defend truth and humanity against hatred.