Speaking at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, High Representative Christian Schmidt addressed the gathered, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and unity in the face of past atrocities.
“We are here to honor the victims of the Srebrenica genocide,” Schmidt stated. “Paying tribute means more than remembrance – it means preserving the dignity of those who were lost.”
In his address, Schmidt acknowledged the strength and humanity of the survivors, thanking them for their resilience and their unwavering pursuit of a better future.
“You are an example to us all,” he said, also expressing regret on behalf of the international community for its failure to act in 1995.
“Thank you for inviting us – those of us who did not intervene against Mladić and his accomplices.”
He underscored that the path forward requires cooperation and shared responsibility. “Srebrenica cannot and must not be forgotten. We must mourn, but also build,” Schmidt urged.
Highlighting the recent adoption of the Srebrenica Resolution at the UN General Assembly, he described it as a vital step in rebuilding trust and engaging young people in the process of reconciliation.
“Let us not allow Dayton to be forgotten,” he added, warning that genocide denial and hate must have no place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his closing message, Schmidt called for a vision of Srebrenica – and the country as a whole – as a place of life, hope, and dignity for all.
