The City of Calgary, one of Canada’s most beautiful and internationally recognized Olympic cities, has officially declared July 11, 2026, as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, reaffirming its solidarity with the victims, survivors, and families affected by one of the darkest chapters in modern European history.
The proclamation, signed by Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, marks the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and honors the memory of more than 8,000 innocent Bosniak civilians who were murdered in and around Srebrenica in July 1995. Through this declaration, Calgary raises awareness of the tragic suffering endured by the victims while reaffirming the importance of remembrance, education, and the prevention of future atrocities.
The proclamation recalls that the Parliament of Canada adopted resolutions in 2010 and 2015 recognizing the genocide in Srebrenica and declaring July 11 as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide in Canada. It also recognizes April as the Month of Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention of Genocide in Canada.
Calgary’s proclamation emphasizes that Srebrenica remains a powerful reminder of the consequences of hatred, intolerance, and indifference. It calls on present and future generations to reflect on historical injustices and to ensure that such crimes are never repeated. The city recognizes the contributions of genocide survivors and their descendants, whose stories continue to inspire solidarity, unity, and a commitment to combating hatred, discrimination, and injustice.
The declaration further highlights Calgary’s dedication to building a stronger and more diverse community while encouraging awareness of the many forms of discrimination and inequality experienced by vulnerable groups around the world. The city stands firmly for peaceful coexistence among nations and for the protection of human dignity everywhere.
The genocide in Srebrenica remains one of the greatest failures of humanity and the international community in the late twentieth century. Despite being designated a United Nations “safe area,” the enclave fell in July 1995, resulting in the systematic murder of thousands of Bosniak men and boys. The tragedy continues to serve as a solemn warning of the consequences of inaction in the face of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The Institute for Research of Genocide Canada (IGK) expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude for Calgary’s decision. By proclaiming July 11, 2026, as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide, Calgary has sent a powerful message of solidarity with survivors and families who continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones.
IGK emphasized that remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide should strengthen humanity’s commitment to universal empathy, justice, and human dignity. The organization reaffirmed that Srebrenica remains both a permanent wound and a solemn pledge that truth and memory must prevail over denial and forgetting.
The Institute also strongly condemned all attempts to revise or relativize the genocide against Bosniaks in and around Srebrenica, stressing that the pain of the Mothers of Srebrenica and the suffering of survivors represent a moral responsibility for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, and the international community.
Thanking Calgary for its contribution to the culture of remembrance, IGK noted that the city’s proclamation demonstrates that the victims of the Srebrenica genocide have not been forgotten and that their memory continues to inspire the global pursuit of truth, justice, and lasting peace.
