The European Union on Friday called for the rejection of genocide denial and the glorification of convicted war criminals ahead of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.
In a joint statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos paid tribute to the more than 8,300 Bosniak men and boys who were killed during the Srebrenica genocide 31 years ago.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the genocide victims. We share the grief of those who continue to endure the agony of uncertainty over their missing loved ones, and we remain steadfast in our support for the survivors whose lives were forever changed in July 1995,” they said.
The two EU officials described the Srebrenica genocide as “one of the darkest chapters in Europe’s history,” emphasizing that it serves as a reminder of the need to build peaceful societies, protect human life and dignity, and uphold the values upon which the European Union was founded.
They also referred to the United Nations General Assembly’s decision two years ago to designate July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.
“There is no place in Europe for genocide denial, historical revisionism, or the glorification of convicted war criminals,” the statement said.
Kallas and Kos urged political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the region to choose responsibility over division, dialogue over confrontation, and to continue supporting efforts to identify the remaining victims.
They reaffirmed that the European Union remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European future as a sovereign, united, multiethnic, and democratic country.
