On Monday 13 July, just under 700 survivors, political and civic leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, faith representatives, educators, and young people gathered at Church House, Westminster, for the UK National Srebrenica Memorial Ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of the genocide.
This UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day Ceremony was preceded by just under 1,000 acts of commemoration held nationwide over the past week in town halls, schools, places of worship, police stations and community centres.
Guests included the Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Denis Bećirović, Member of the Presidency President Željko Komšić, and the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. Together, we remembered the more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys murdered in July 1995, and all those whose lives were forever changed by genocide, war, displacement, and loss.
Opening the ceremony, Remembering Srebrenica Chair Dr Waqar Azmi OBE reflected on the meaning of this year’s theme, “We Are Here”: the defiant voice of survivors who rebuilt their lives with dignity and courage, the presence of their children and grandchildren, and the responsibility shared by all of us to defend truth, challenge hatred, and refuse indifference.
Throughout the evening, speakers returned to the importance of truth, justice, and education. President Bećirović paid tribute to the Mothers of Srebrenica, who “did not allow the victims of the genocide to be forgotten” or “justice to remain silent”, while President Komšić reminded those gathered that genocide begins long before the killing, when intolerance becomes acceptable, lies replace facts, and people are dehumanised. Sir Sadiq Khan reflected on his recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Srebrenica, connecting its lessons to the urgent need to confront rising xenophobia, racism, and anti-Muslim hatred in Britain today.
At the heart of the ceremony were the voices of survivors. Amra Dautović shared the story of a childhood interrupted by war, separation from her parents, the loss of loved ones, and her family’s eventual journey to safety in Britain. Describing how she stood before the audience “iz inata” – in resistance – she spoke of rebuilding her life, preserving her heritage, and refusing to allow genocide to have the final word.
Nejira Gazibegović spoke movingly about the community her family became part of after fleeing the horrors of war. She reflected on how families supported one another, raised the next generation together with values of tolerance and solidarity, and refused to allow hardship to become bitterness. Her parents’ determination, resilience, and commitment to justice have shaped her own decision to pursue a future in human rights law.
The ceremony also heard witness testimony from Kathryne Bomberger, Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons. She reflected on how “We Are Here” is embodied in the work of those who continue to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. The identification of more than 90% of those missing from the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands as an extraordinary achievement, but also as a lesson of urgent contemporary relevance. From the remaining victims of the Bosnian War to Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, and beyond, states have a responsibility to preserve evidence, account for the missing, and ensure that crimes cannot be concealed by time, denial, or political indifference.
Music, poetry, art, and prayer also formed a central part of the evening. Danyal Azmi’s poem, We Are Here, reflected on memory, responsibility, and the duty inherited by younger generations. Performances by Dr Hafsa Jalisi and Dr Kim Sadique, the Srebrenica Prayer led by Imam Sedin ef. Šahman, and artwork by Lejla Kevrić and Robert McNeil MBE created space for grief, remembrance, and hope.
The ceremony ended with a promise to carry its message beyond the evening: to choose remembrance over indifference, truth over denial, hope over hatred, and each other over fear.
