INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “SREBRENICA 1995: THE CULMINATION OF GENOCIDE AND AGGRESSION AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA” OPENED

 

Organised by the University of Sarajevo – Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law and the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation, the International Scientific Conference “Srebrenica 1995: The Culmination of Genocide and Aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina” was opened today in Sarajevo. The conference is being held on 3 and 4 July 2026 at the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation in Sarajevo and in Srebrenica.

The conference was opened with addresses by Dr. Alija Kožljak, Head of the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Denis Bećirović; Ms. Amina Rizvanbegović Džuvić, Director of the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation; Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo; Mr. Elvedin Okerić, Chairperson of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly; and Dr. Muamer Džananović, Director of the University of Sarajevo – Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law.

Dr. Alija Kožljak addressed the participants on behalf of the Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Denis Bećirović. He emphasised that this conference represents a way to preserve the truth about the aggression and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina from oblivion and denial. He stressed the exceptional importance of the role of the scientific community, noting that science is the strongest ally of truth.

Director of the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation, Ms. Amina Rizvanbegović Džuvić, addressed the gathering on behalf of the organisers. She emphasised that it is an institutional and civilisational responsibility of all scholars and public figures to speak the truth about the crimes committed during the aggression and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also expressed gratitude to the Government and Assembly of Sarajevo Canton for their support in organising this scientific conference.

Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, emphasised that Srebrenica was not an isolated crime, but rather the culmination of crimes against humanity and international law committed during the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, he stressed, it is the responsibility of the scientific community to address Srebrenica and the aggression through scientifically grounded facts.

Chairperson of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, Mr. Elvedin Okerić, highlighted the importance of the University of Sarajevo – Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law and the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation, noting that conferences such as this one nurture a culture of remembrance and contribute to resistance against revisionism.

The opening keynote address was delivered by Dr. Muamer Džananović, Director of the University of Sarajevo – Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law. He stated that the genocide in Srebrenica cannot be viewed as an isolated event, but rather as the final stage of a long-term political, military, institutional and ideological process of aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dr. Džananović emphasised that this is one of the central messages of the conference, which examines Srebrenica within the broader context of aggression, systematic crimes, persecution, dehumanisation, institutional planning and subsequent denial. He stressed that science cannot be replaced by propaganda and that verdicts, documents, archives, testimonies, material evidence and scientific research cannot be annulled by political statements, regardless of their frequency or organisation.

In his address, Dr. Džananović also emphasised that Srebrenica is not only a Bosnian and Herzegovinian issue, but also a European and global one, as it demonstrates the consequences of failures in international protection mechanisms, the absence of political will and the continuation of crimes through denial. He stated that European and other democratic institutions must clearly distance themselves from genocide deniers and policies that produce, support or tolerate denial.

The conference brings together prominent domestic and international scholars, researchers and experts who will discuss, through thematic panels, key issues related to the genocide in Srebrenica, including its legal, historical, political and social aspects, as well as challenges related to genocide denial, the culture of remembrance and the prevention of future crimes.

The conference programme continues with panel discussions throughout the day, while on the second day participants will visit Srebrenica, including the Srebrenica Memorial Centre – Potočari and other locations significant for research and the preservation of the culture of remembrance.

The organisation of the conference was supported by the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the Sarajevo Canton Assembly.