11 July – Srebrenica Memorial Day

11. 7. 2021

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Srebrenica Memorial Day on 11 July is a day to remember and preserve the memory of the victims of the massacre in Srebrenica and the horrors that took place during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will not and must not ever forget Srebrenica – reconciliation is only possible if we remember and acknowledge the suffering and pain of the people. Any denial or relativisation of these tragic events is unacceptable. The Western Balkans region is still heavily burdened with these memories and the painful historical experience. The processes of reconciliation must be accelerated, since this is the only way for all generations to realise their potential and contribute to the region’s well-being, stability and security.

The events that took place 26 years ago in Srebrenica represent the most serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The recent confirmation of Ratko Mladić's sentence sent a strong message and reinforced the commitment of the international community to the tenet that no one is above the law and that the perpetrators of such atrocities will be held accountable for their actions. Impunity is not admissible and an effective fight against it helps prevent atrocities and strengthens international peace and security.

Strengthening reconciliation and cooperation is vital to the progress of all countries in the region as they advance towards European integration. As the member state holding the EU Council presidency, Slovenia is committed to the reconciliation process aimed at securing the stability of the Western Balkans region, which is also part of its foreign policy priorities.