The commemoration was marked by sober tribute, recognition of collective failure, and calls for continued vigilance against hatred and denial.
The plenary session began with a minute of silence for the victims. Parliamentarians reflected on the international community's inability to prevent the tragedy of 1995. The murder of thousands of Bosnian boys and men, which took place despite UN supervision in the designated enclaves, remains a deep scar in European history.
The commemoration in Strasbourg was attended by a large Bosnian delegation, including two survivors of the massacres. Several speakers emphasized that Srebrenica was not an isolated event. The genocide was the result of years of incitement to hatred, dehumanization, and political propaganda.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for active remembrance, recalling that the European Parliament designated July 11 as an official day of commemoration in 2009. She stated that remembrance is not only a duty to the past but also a task for the future: to combat misinformation and keep the memory alive.
The commemoration did not only look back. Current conflicts were also mentioned. Criticism was voiced regarding current European policies on civilian protection and human rights. The Srebrenica genocide was cited as an example of what can happen when warning signs are ignored.
The commemoration also served as a warning about contemporary political trends in which population groups are once again being stigmatized. Comparisons were also drawn with the current Israeli military actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In several speeches, the importance of justice and collective memory was emphasized. Speakers stressed that acknowledging the truth remains essential, especially in a time when genocide denial and revisionism are gaining ground. Protecting facts is, according to them, a democratic responsibility.
Outside the parliament, commemorations for July 11 are being prepared worldwide. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, up to 150,000 people are expected at the central ceremony. Relatives are also reburial identified human remains of victims this year, illustrating that the mourning process is far from complete.
The trauma continues to live on in families and communities, not only in the former Yugoslav republics but also elsewhere in Europe.
Thirty years after the events, the call for recognition and truth continues to echo. The European commemoration in Strasbourg emphasized that this tragedy continuously brings not only political but also moral obligations.