Minister Fajon with the Mothers of Srebrenica on the importance of preserving memory and raising awareness among youth

The meeting reflects Slovenia's clear commitment to preserving the memory of the tragic events in which at least 8372 Muslim boys and men were killed in Srebrenica between 11 and 22 July 1995. It is also a reminder that such atrocities must never happen again.

Minister Fajon spoke with the representatives of the movement about the importance of acceptance, justice and reconciliation. At a time of increasing political polarisation, intolerance and conflict, which is escalating before our eyes in many parts of the world, such messages hold particular significance. As the Minister has said on several occasions, we are witnessing the killing and starving of civilians in Gaza, and we must stop it immediately. If we do not, we will see the complete disappearance of the Palestinian people, the consequences of which would be irreparable and irreversible for humanity, for the international legal order and small nations. 

Minister Fajon expressed her unwavering support for the efforts of the Mothers of Srebrenica and stressed that their courage and perseverance should be an example to all. "Your perseverance has helped to ensure that the horrors of Srebrenica have not fallen into oblivion, but remain a living reminder of the dangers of hatred and ignorance." She and the movement's representatives stressed the importance of raising awareness about the tragedy of Srebrenica, especially among young people, in order to preserve the memory of those horrific events and prevent them from ever happening again.

The Minister also reported on Slovenia's awareness-raising activities. Slovenia actively co-created and from the outset supported the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 11 July 2024 the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide.

The Mothers of Srebrenica Movement was founded in 2002 by Hatidža Mehmedović, who lost her husband and two sons. Ms Mehmedović passed away in 2018 and the movement has since been continued by other women whose loved ones were killed in Srebrenica in July 1995.

In 2004, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia ruled unanimously that the massacre of the enclave's male inhabitants constituted genocide, a crime under international law. The ruling was upheld by the International Court of Justice in 2007 and Slovenia has been one of the most active countries in implementing a commemorative programme for almost three decades to preserve the memory of the victims and to raise public awareness about the importance of preventing such crimes in the future.