Bornova commemorates the 8,372 Bosniak Muslims massacred 31 years ago

Mayor Eşki: "Remembering genocides is our shared responsibility to humanity."

The 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, in which 8,372 Bosniak Muslims were murdered in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was commemorated with a meaningful ceremony in Bornova. Held in front of the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial at Çamdibi Atatürk Park, the event honored the victims while emphasizing the importance of remembering genocides and passing this historical awareness on to future generations.

Organized by Bornova Municipality, the commemoration began with a moment of silence, followed by the national anthems of Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ceremony was attended by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki; Barbaros Taşer, President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Cultural Associations in Türkiye and Deputy Mayor of Bornova; Mehmet Fatih Demir, President of the İzmir Bosnia Sanjak Culture and Solidarity Association; municipal council members, neighborhood representatives, NGO officials, and many citizens.

Mayor Eşki: "We will complete the Srebrenica Memorial by next year."

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Ömer Eşki described Srebrenica as a wound on the conscience of all humanity, not only of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He noted with satisfaction that participation in the annual commemoration continues to grow and stated that the Srebrenica Memorial in Çamdibi has not yet been completed according to its original design.

"On July 11 next year, we hope to gather here in front of the completed memorial for a much larger commemoration, including a silent torchlight walk. This memorial will preserve not only the memory of the past but also humanity's shared conscience."

Emphasizing that the suffering experienced throughout the Balkans must never be forgotten, Eşki added:

"Many of our fellow citizens living in Bornova today personally experienced the tragedies in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria. Our aim is not to pass hatred on to our children, but historical awareness. Even today, newly identified victims are still being laid to rest in Srebrenica. We cannot afford to forget such a tragedy."

"A forgotten genocide is repeated."

Barbaros Taşer, President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Cultural Associations in Türkiye and Deputy Mayor of Bornova, stated that Srebrenica was one of the greatest crimes against humanity committed before the eyes of the world.

Highlighting that their goal is not to foster hostility but to keep memory alive, Taşer said:

"We must build a shared human conscience not only against what happened in Bosnia but also against crimes against humanity committed elsewhere in the world. These commemorations are essential so that future generations understand what happened and similar tragedies never occur again. A forgotten genocide is repeated."

"Srebrenica is humanity's shared test."

Mehmet Fatih Demir, President of the İzmir Bosnia Sanjak Culture and Solidarity Association, described the Srebrenica Genocide as one of the worst crimes against humanity committed in the heart of Europe.

"More than eight thousand Bosniaks were murdered solely because of their identity and faith. Mass graves are still being discovered today. Remembering Srebrenica is a responsibility not only to those who lost their lives but also to the future of humanity."

Demir thanked Mayor Ömer Eşki and Bornova Municipality for supporting the commemoration program and said they would continue strengthening the cultural ties between Bosnia, Sanjak, and Türkiye.

Remembered with carnations and a photography exhibition

Following the speeches, officials and attendees laid red carnations at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial in memory of those who lost their lives in the massacre.

The program also included a visit to the photography exhibition "Walking for Peace on the Road of Death," which documents the human tragedy of Srebrenica. The exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of the victims and safeguarding peace, justice, and humanity's collective conscience.