London — In a dignified and poignant ceremony, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London hosted a national commemoration to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide , the worst atrocity committed on European soil since World War II. The event brought together survivors, political leaders, religious dignitaries and community representatives to pay tribute to the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys killed in July 1995. 
In one of the most famous and important British places of worship, thirty candles were lit during the service – one for each year since the genocide – and among those who lit them were Munira Subašić , genocide survivor and president of the “Mothers of Srebrenica and Žepa” Association, British government ministers, MPs, diplomats and survivors from the second generation.
Speeches and testimonies in Bosnian and English reminded those present of the horrors endured by the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the victims of Srebrenica and the Trnopolje camp, and of the necessity of fighting hatred, nationalism, and genocide denial.
Among the guests were:
- His Excellencies Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović , members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Angela Rayner , Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Baroness Warsi , who said a prayer for Srebrenica
- Mayor of London Sadiq Khan , te
- Ambassadors and consuls from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palestine and other countries
Music was performed by Lejla Jusić and Elvir Solak from the National Theater in Sarajevo, including the touching song Bijeli cvijet , while prayers were read by young representatives of the Bosnian community in Great Britain.
The commemoration was a powerful reminder of the consequences of unbridled hatred and reminded us of the shared responsibility of all of us to defend truth, justice, and human dignity.
The service ended with a powerful message: “Remember yesterday. Act today.”
Following the commemoration, an official reception was held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) , where Stephen Doughty , Secretary of State for Europe, North America and Overseas, addressed the gathering. In his speech, he highlighted the United Kingdom’s strong commitment to the preservation of truth, a culture of remembrance and continued support for Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
This ceremony in the heart of London kicked off the month of remembrance for the Srebrenica genocide, and more than a thousand commemorations are expected to be held across the United Kingdom to mark the 30th anniversary – in communities, schools, religious institutions and institutions across the country that preserve the memory of the innocent victims.
