The Hague, 11-07-2024 - Ladies and Gentlemen, Dearly beloved, 

We stand here today at the ICTY to lay a symbolic wreath in memory of the victims of the genocide at Srebrenica. This gesture is a mark of respect and mourning for the 8372 Bosniak men and boys who were murdered in July 1995. It is a painful fact that a national monument has still not been established in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, to commemorate this terrible event. 

The Srebrenica genocide is one of the most tragic chapters in recent European history. The ICTY played a crucial role in bringing justice to the victims and their families. Yet the absence of a tangible memorial remains a gaping hole in our collective memory and a loss in our memorial culture. 

The absence of a memorial does not mean we have forgotten the victims. On the contrary, today we emphasize the need to keep their memory alive. This wreath is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to fight for recognition, justice and a lasting memory. 

We call on the international community, governments and all stakeholders to support the creation of a permanent national monument. This monument would serve as a place of mourning, reflection and education, and as a powerful warning against the dangers of hatred and intolerance. 

Let us take this symbolic act today as a pledge never to forget and to continue to strive for a world where such tragedies are not repeated. 

After the laying of the wreath, we will proceed to a moment of silence.