President Erdoğan shares a video message on Srebrenica Genocide

 

President Erdoğan said, "We reject all statements and declarations that deny the Srebrenica Genocide and glorify war criminals despite international court rulings. We condemn the attacks and harassment against people returning home after the war."

In a video message he shared on the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveyed condolences from 86 million people in Türkiye to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina during this period of mourning.

President Erdoğan stated that although 30 years passed since the Srebrenica Genocide, which left a dark stain on the history of humanity, the suffering of the Bosniaks who were brutally murdered was still fresh in people's hearts and emphasised that the international community's failure to take the necessary responsibility to stop the genocide was an irreparable and shameful lapse.

President Erdoğan stated that they continued to oppose resolutely this barbaric mentality that turns a blind eye to such atrocities and said, "The essence of our call for United Nations reform, which we always keep on the agenda, is to fight against this mentality of 'letting sleeping dogs lie.' In this struggle, the words of the great intellectual and statesman, the late Aliya Izetbegović, continue to light our way: 'Whatever you do, do not forget the genocide, because a forgotten genocide is repeated.'"

Expressing that the United Nations General Assembly's declaration of July 11 as the "International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica" with Türkiye's co-presentation is a manifestation of the strong will against genocide, President Erdoğan said, "I believe that the Srebrenica Genocide Victims Memorial Museum, established with our country's support at the Srebrenica Battery Factory, the main site where the genocide was committed, will fulfil an important function in this regard."

"We condemn the attacks and harassment against people returning home"

President Erdoğan said, "Sadly, what is happening in Gaza today shows that the international community has not learnt the necessary lessons from Srebrenica," and added:

"The international community, which remained silent in Srebrenica, has merely watched the atrocities in Palestine in recent years. The Israeli administration will ultimately be held accountable before both the law and history for the genocide that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 57,000 Palestinian children, women, the elderly, and young people. We reject all statements and declarations that deny the Srebrenica Genocide and glorify war criminals despite international court rulings. We condemn the attacks and harassment against people returning home after the war.

For the stability of the Balkans and Europe, it is our sincere hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will achieve an inclusive internal reconciliation for all groups. There is no doubt that we will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitutional order. Türkiye will continue to resolutely fulfil its responsibilities for the preservation of peace, tranquillity, and stability at both the multinational and bilateral levels."

President Erdoğan once again wished Allah's mercy for the Bosnians who became martyrs in the Srebrenica Genocide and extended his condolences to their relatives.