In a solemn moment of reflection, TDs in the Dáil paid tribute to the more than 8,000 men and boys killed in the 1995 Srebrenica genocide. The UN General Assembly declared 11 July as the International Day of Reflection for this tragic event. The massacre, recognized as genocide by international courts, was carried out by Bosnian Serb forces led by Ratko Mladić.
Despite opposition from Serbia and Bosnian Serbs, the UN resolution was adopted to honor the victims. In Srebrenica, thousands gathered to remember the lives lost, with families still waiting to bury loved ones. The remains of more victims are still being discovered, with 14 recently laid to rest at a memorial cemetery.
With Bosnia still deeply divided along ethnic lines, the EU condemned those who deny or glorify the genocide. As we continue to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide, let us honor the memories of the victims and strive for a future free from such atrocities.
Additional reporting by AFP