It is crucial to educate young people about the genocide and the ongoing influence of nationalist policies and motives that still pose threats today, stated Aleksandar Saša Zeković, a member of the Civic Initiative (GI) “21 May” and a remembrance activist.

“At the Monument dedicated to all civilian victims of the wars in the former Yugoslavia from 1991 to 2001, in Pobrežje, Podgorica, I paid my respects to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica. Additionally, I lit a candle for the souls of all genocide victims at the Church of St. George in Podgorica,” Zeković remarked.

He emphasized that Srebrenica Remembrance Day was established to honor the 1995 genocide.

“The regions of the former Yugoslavia, burdened by the traumatic impacts of various ideologies and grand nationalisms, are compelled to confront their memories. The initiative to create a Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide in Montenegro was proposed to then-Prime Minister Milo Đukanović back in June 2005. While there has been progress in addressing the past, the current authorities have yet to establish a national day of remembrance. It’s vital for an official delegation from the Government of Montenegro, comprising diverse ethnicities, to attend the Memorial Center in Srebrenica. This sends a strong message against genocide denial and in favor of post-genocide policies. However, for decades, we’ve advocated that the officials’ focus should not solely be on commemorative events outside Montenegro,” Zeković remarked.

According to him, mobilizing memorialization within our society is crucial, as highlighted in the resolutions of the Parliament of Montenegro and the United Nations.

“Young people especially need guidance to comprehend the genocide and the persistent threat of nationalist ideologies. Remembering the victims serves as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of repentance. Convicted general Radislav Krstić of the Army of Republika Srpska offered a public apology. In taking responsibility for the genocide, General Krstić specifically addressed the youth of the former SFRY, urging them to improve their environments,” Zeković elaborated.

The 30th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks conducted by Serbian forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 1995 will be commemorated today at the Srebrenica – Potočari Memorial Center.

Today, the remains of seven additional Srebrenica victims found at various locations will be buried in Potočari. Among the youngest victims to be buried are two individuals, both 19 years old.

Numerous world leaders have announced their attendance at Potočari today, with media reports from Sarajevo estimating that up to 150,000 people may participate in the commemoration.

In May of the previous year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating July 11th as the International Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide, denouncing genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals.

After entering Srebrenica, a United Nations safe zone, forces led by Ratko Mladić, commander of the Army of Republika Srpska, massacred over 8,000 people, primarily men and boys, in July 1995.

According to data from the Srebrenica – Potočari Memorial Center, at least 8,372 individuals, including women, girls, and the elderly, were killed in and around Srebrenica.

The Srebrenica genocide has been legally established through rulings from the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (The Hague Tribunal), and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To date, 781 individuals have received a collective total of 54 years in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and other offenses committed in Srebrenica in July 1995.

Five people have been sentenced to life in prison, among them former Republika Srpska President Radovan Karadžić, wartime commander Ratko Mladić, and three other high-ranking Army officers.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled in 2007 that the Army of Republika Srpska perpetrated genocide in Srebrenica. The court also held Serbia accountable for failing to prevent the genocide.

Despite judicial verdicts, Serbian political elites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have not demonstrated any willingness to confront the past or acknowledge that genocide occurred in Srebrenica.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the genocide, the Srebrenica – Potočari Memorial Center has highlighted that institutional discrimination against Bosniaks, genocide denial, and the glorification of war criminals persist in Republika Srpska.

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