Birmingham- Regional leaders, diplomats, survivors and members of the public gathered in the ceremonial hall of Birmingham City Hall to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide – the most horrific crime on European soil since World War II. 
The commemoration was jointly organised by Remembering Srebrenica UK and the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network (BH UK Network), and the event brought together participants from across the region to pay tribute to the more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys who were executed by Bosnian Serb forces in the United Nations safe area of Srebrenica in July 1995. 
The event was hosted by the Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Zaffar Iqbal, with the support of Birmingham City Council. The programme included inspiring speeches, moving testimonies from survivors and emotional artistic performances. Attendees included the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Derrick Anderson CBE, Deputy Leader of Birmingham, Sharon Thompson, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UK, H.E. Osman Topčagić and Dr Waqar Azmi, Chairman of Remembering Srebrenica 
The commemoration was opened by Lejla Golos, followed by welcoming speeches and messages of solidarity emphasizing the importance of preserving truth and memory in the fight against hatred and genocide denial.
One of the most emotional moments was the speech of Sara Hukić, a genocide survivor, who shared her painful but courageous testimony. Elvir Solak and Ivan Šarić from the Sarajevo National Theater performed moving artistic performances _White Flower_ and _Deaf Silence_, while Hafsa Jalisi, Ayla Pezerović and Leila Dautović further refined the program through poetry and prayer. 
Children from a Bosnian supplementary school in Birmingham sent messages of peace and hope, reminding those present of the importance of educating new generations about Srebrenica.
A special moment of the commemoration was the lighting of 11 candles that symbolized July 11, the day of the fall of Srebrenica. Candles were lit by representatives of 11 different religious communities, who thereby sent a strong message of unity, solidarity and common memory of the innocent victims of genocide.
The event was closed by Dr. Anes Cerić, Executive Director of BH UK Network and Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanking all participants and partners and emphasizing the importance of the joint fight against genocide denial and preserving the truth.
During the commemoration, an initiative to build a Srebrenica memorial flower in Cannon Hill Park was also presented – a monument that would serve as a place for remembrance, learning and unity in the heart of Birmingham.
This year’s message remains clear: _”We remember Srebrenica – yesterday we remember, today we act.”_ West Midlands remains committed to that mission.
_BH UK Network
