The evening was also attended by Dr. Haris Silajdžić, former president of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preparations are well underway in the UK to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Each year, the charity Remembering Srebrenica chooses a theme that reflects an aspect of the genocide that needs to be commemorated. Last year’s theme was “Bridging the divide – standing up to hate”. It inspired people to challenge those who aim to divide communities and to recognise those who build bridges between communities.
This year’s theme will be announced tonight at Westminster Palace in the presence of guests from the British government and Dr. Haris Silajdžić, former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this occasion, the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a gala dinner in its premises in London last night.
Distinguished guests included former member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Haris Silajdžić; Viscount James Younger Leckie; Minister for Communities and Faith, Lord Nick Bourne of Aberystwyth, President of “Remembering Srebrenica” ; Baroness Nosheena Mobarik CBE; Patron of “Remembering Srebrenica” , Ms. Alicia Kearns MP; Mr. Martin Bell OBE, UNICEF Ambassador and former BBC War Correspondent; Mr. Andrew Page, Director for the Western Balkans at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE, Director of “Remembering Srebrenica” , staff of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the Bosnian community in the UK and many other friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ambassador Filipović took the opportunity to thank them all for their continued work to preserve the memory of the Srebrenica genocide, pay tribute to the victims and survivors, and ensure that such atrocities never happen again. Dr. Silajdžić highlighted the United Kingdom’s unique position to take a leading role in promoting true values in Bosnia and the world, while Minister James Younger and Mr. Page said that the UK’s interest in the Western Balkans would not diminish, regardless of BREXIT, the UK’s exit from the European Union.
In 2019, over 1,100 events were held in the UK, with large numbers of people attending. In addition to the commemorations, the Srebrenica Remembrance organisation works in schools across the country, reaching over 95,000 children through educational packs on the lessons learned from the Srebrenica genocide and other educational activities.
