The Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons and Refugees, continued its cycle of forums and exhibitions in European countries under the title "The World Remembers Srebrenica: Lessons from Genocide in Europe."
A program was held at the "Ursulinenhof" Cultural Center in Upper Austria, Linz, on June 25, 2024. The program began with the opening of an exhibition displaying historical photographs, documents, and items related to the Srebrenica Genocide. Visitors had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the extent of the genocide committed in July 1995.
The program continued with an introductory speech by Semra Jašarević, a member of the board of the Center for Contemporary Initiatives Austria. The first speaker in the full hall was Muhamed Jugo, a representative of the Directorate for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who spoke about the role of the Islamic Community in preserving memory and promoting the importance of coexistence.
Damir Saračević, co-organizer and president of the Center for Contemporary Initiatives Austria and the "Consilium Bosniacum" Alliance, presented the activities of these organizations in the field of education and remembrance of the Genocide. Saračević specifically highlighted the initiative and activities of this alliance regarding the adoption of the Resolution on the Srebrenica Genocide in the Austrian Parliament, which was unanimously adopted on July 6, 2022.
Prof. Dr. Josef Weidenholzer, former member of the European Parliament and honorary consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Upper Austria, spoke about the international perspective and the importance of remembering the Srebrenica Genocide in the European context.
Selma Jahić, a surviving witness of the Srebrenica Genocide, shared a touching personal story filled with the tragedy of July 1995. She testified about the crimes committed and spoke about her personal experiences, including the murders of her family members. She also emphasized how, at certain moments, even UN soldiers treated them inhumanely.
Dr. Jasmin Medić, a research associate for modern history at the University of Sarajevo – Institute of History, provided an academic insight into the events leading up to the Genocide and spoke about the horrific scale and significant consequences of this crime.
The program's host, Semra Jašarević, moderated the discussion after the addresses, allowing the audience to ask questions and engage in conversation about the importance of preserving the memory of the Genocide.
During the discussion, Selma Jahić invited the attendees, especially the youth, to visit Srebrenica outside the month of July and to also visit other towns in eastern Bosnia where crimes were committed.
Prof. Weidenholzer drew parallels with Austria's confrontation with National Socialism after World War II, noting that it took about 30 years for discussions to begin. He stated that the confrontation should start with ordinary people, not political elites. He also emphasized that the European Union made significant mistakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is now trying to correct them in Ukraine.
Dr. Medić spoke about the importance of including the topic of the Srebrenica Genocide and the mass crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the educational system. He highlighted that he believes this will be possible sooner in Western Europe than in the Republika Srpska, as about 90% of the deputies in the National Assembly of this entity hold nationalist views and deny the truth about the genocide against Bosniaks.
Damir Saračević emphasized during the discussion that everyone has a responsibility to bring adopted resolutions to life through various activities and to initiate projects based on them. He reminded the attendees that the "Consilium Bosniacum" Alliance plans to organize a Peace March and a large public gathering at Heroes' Square in Vienna on July 7, 2024.
After the dynamic discussion, attendees had the opportunity to purchase books on the topic of the Srebrenica Genocide in German, English, and Bosnian, and to once again quietly and calmly view the exhibition authored by Dr. Hikmet Karčić.
This and other events within the project "The World Remembers Srebrenica" aim to raise awareness about the Srebrenica Genocide and promote discussion on the importance of preventing such crimes in the future. The organizers emphasized that it is important to continue educating the public and promoting dialogue to ensure justice and reconciliation. Based on the reactions and comments of the attendees, and thanks to the contributions of all speakers and participants, this event left a profound impact and will contribute to the collective memory of Srebrenica.
