{"id":286835,"date":"2025-07-08T11:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T15:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/?p=286835"},"modified":"2025-07-08T11:45:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T15:45:57","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-on-the-commemorapga-reevent-on-international-day-of-reflection-and-commemoration-of-the-1995-genocide-in-srebrenica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/79\/2025\/07\/08\/pga-remarks-at-the-on-the-commemorapga-reevent-on-international-day-of-reflection-and-commemoration-of-the-1995-genocide-in-srebrenica\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks on the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica"},"content":{"rendered":"
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
\nMr. Philemon Yang,<\/b><\/p>\n
on the Commemorative Event on International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Distinguished delegates,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Survivors and families of the victims,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We gather today in solemn remembrance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thirty years have passed since the tragedy that unfolded in Srebrenica, one of the darkest chapters in our shared history.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was an atrocity that international courts have recognised as genocide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: \u201cThe tragedy of Srebrenica will forever haunt the history of the United Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Such atrocities must never be allowed to happen again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, we honour the memory of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims who were systematically murdered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We stand with their families, who continue to carry the weight of that loss, and with survivors whose daily life has remained a profound struggle ever since.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We also reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure that the lessons of Srebrenica, and of other tragedies of the same kind, are never forgotten.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are humbled to welcome survivors of Srebrenica among us today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their presence reminds us of our obligation to listen\u2014and to reflect on the horrors they endured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That obligation also extends to upholding our commitments, including those under the Pact for the Future, to prevent and end genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must remain resolute in ensuring that all victims of such atrocities receive justice, and that all perpetrators are held to account.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Impunity cannot be tolerated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The lessons of Srebrenica must guide our efforts to prevent such crimes, everywhere, and every time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This includes strengthening the protection of civilians in conflict and upholding fundamental human rights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This commemoration carries renewed urgency in a world increasingly fractured by division and rising intolerance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Education remains our strongest defence against the erosion of memory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must not only remember history, but learn from it, so that tragedies like Srebrenica are never repeated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Future generations must be equipped to understand what happened, why it happened, and how it was allowed to happen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Only then can they uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and human dignity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fostering inclusive dialogue and mutual respect among communities is essential to building the foundations of peaceful coexistence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we mark the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations, we are reminded that this \u00a0Organisation was founded to save succeeding generations from the catastrophe of war.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The memory of Srebrenica must strengthen our resolve to uphold the values of the United Nations\u2019 Charter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To uphold human rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of everyone, everywhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/b><\/p>\n Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, \u00a0M:\u00a0+1 646 342 5873<\/b>, Email:\u00a0birchs@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations, M:\u00a0+1 917 361 4990<\/b>, Email:\u00a0mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Philemon Yang, on the Commemorative Event on International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica July 8 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-286835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>
\nJuly 8 2025, General Assembly Hall<\/b><\/p>\n
\n[Pre-Recorded Video Message]<\/b><\/p>\n