Organised by the Association “Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Žepa” and the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, the 6th International Conference “SREBRENICA: THREE DECADES OF STRUGGLE FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, FUTURE” was held in Sarajevo, gathering over one hundred participants from across the country and abroad.

Over two days, representatives of institutions, international organisations, civil society, academia and media engaged in discussions on mechanisms of justice, genocide denial, the role of education in preserving memory, and the importance of collective remembrance for building trust and reconciliation.

The conference was opened by representatives of the organising associations and high-level officials.

Munira Subašić, President of the Movement “Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Žepa”, stated that the victims’ associations at this conference want to send a clear message to institutions that responsibility must be taken for genocide denial and the glorification of war criminals.

“We want to send a clear message, especially to the Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are most responsible for the situation in BiH, most responsible for genocide denial and for glorifying war criminals. When we have a judiciary and prosecution as they should be in BiH, there will be truth and justice, trust and reconciliation,” Subašić said.

Denis Bećirović, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanked the Mothers of Srebrenica and reminded everyone of the importance of the United Nations Resolution on Srebrenica, which established the International Day of Remembrance for the Genocide in Srebrenica, and thanks to which memory is preserved and the message of reconciliation is spread.

“Memory must serve to prevent future evil. Our messages are never messages of hatred and revenge, but messages of reconciliation, seeking truth and justice, and this conference also serves that purpose,” Bećirović emphasized.

Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the European Union calls for stronger regional commitment to ending impunity and bringing justice to the victims of war crimes. 

“It is our duty to preserve truth, honour the victims, and pursue justice. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made important progress in prosecuting genocide and war crimes, yet challenges remain: limited regional cooperation, suspects beyond the reach of the BiH judiciary, and the passing of time. The EU therefore calls for stronger regional commitment to ending impunity, greater willingness to ensure prosecutions and for use of the existing cooperation protocols. Judicial results alone, however, cannot heal the society. As denial and revisionism grow, protection of truth remains a moral imperative”, as underlined by Soreca.

Julian Reilly, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasised that the United Kingdom will continue to stand with BiH, through partnerships with civil society, support for initiatives including the Srebrenica Memorial Centre, and advocacy for justice and accountability. 

“At the Balkan Process Summit, the Western Balkans leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reconciliation through the Joint Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations. These are a promise to confront the past honestly, reject denial and revisionism, and build a future rooted in mutual trust. Those commitments must now be translated into concrete steps. This is a responsibility shared by regional governments, local communities, and international partners. Together, we can – and must - ensure the legacy of Srebrenica is not division, but resilience, reconciliation, and hope”, noted Reilly adding that the UK remains deeply committed to this agenda. 

Arnhild Spence, Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that it is a great honor to stand today with the Mothers of Srebrenica and survivors, who for three decades have tirelessly pursued truth, justice, and dignity, and to speak at this important conference organized with the support of the EU-funded regional programme implemented by UNDP. 

“Last week, the Flower of Srebrenica memorial was inaugurated at United Nations Headquarters, honoring the lives lost in the Srebrenica genocide and reminding us of our collective responsibility to preserve remembrance and counter denial. These efforts are at the heart of the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund, which supports initiatives that uphold truth and justice and help build the foundations of peace that endure for future generations”, noted Spence. 

Throughout the conference, participants exchanged experiences and recommendations for advancing transitional justice and confronting the past through panel discussions, a book promotion and a documentary screening.

The event was organised with the support of the regional project “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans”, funded by the European Union, and the project “Strengthening the Process of Transitional Justice in the Western Balkans”, funded by the Government of the United Kingdom. Both projects are implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The conference is co-financed by the Government of the Federation of BiH, the Ministry for Veterans and Disabled Veterans of the Defensive-Liberation War, and is under the patronage of the member of the Presidency of BiH, Denis Bećirović.