On July 26, 2025, a solemn new monument was unveiled at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, commemorating the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The monument was inaugurated by Denis Bećirović, a Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris. This poignant memorial marks the 30th anniversary of one of the darkest chapters in recent European history.
Situated in a distinguished alley of memorials, the monument stands alongside tributes to victims of the Rwandan Tutsi genocide and French soldiers who perished during World War II. This placement reflects a shared commitment to remembrance and the universal condemnation of genocide. The monument itself is the creation of sculptor Admir Halilović, whose work captures the gravity and sorrow of the tragedy.
The project was initiated by Solidarity with Bosnia and Herzegovina (SIBH-France), a non-governmental organization uniting Bosnian and Herzegovinian associations and their supporters in France. Their efforts, supported by the Paris City Council and Mayor Hidalgo, culminated in the decision to erect this permanent memorial in the heart of Paris.
Addressing the attendees at the unveiling ceremony, Bećirović expressed profound gratitude toward France for its unwavering support. He highlighted France’s pivotal role during the adoption of the Resolution on the International Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide at the United Nations General Assembly in May 2024. “Bosnia and Herzegovina extremely appreciates the fact that the friendly Republic of France was one of the co-sponsors of the Resolution on Srebrenica,” he stated.
Bećirović underscored the importance of the monument as a symbol of remembrance and a foundation for a more just future. “Today we pay our respects to the victims of the only genocide on European soil after 1945. In the heart of Paris, at the Père Lachaise cemetery, we are unveiling the Memorial dedicated to the victims of the genocide against the Bosniaks in the United Nations Safe Zone of Srebrenica. The monument dedicated to the genocide against the Bosniaks will forever stand here, in Paris,” he said.
He further emphasized that the memory of the Srebrenica genocide must serve as a cornerstone for building a safer and more just world. “Only through truth, respect for victims and responsibility can we ensure that genocide never happens again,” Bećirović concluded, highlighting the moral imperative of remembrance.
The Srebrenica genocide occurred in July 1995 during the Bosnian War, a brutal conflict that lasted from 1992 until 1995. The war resulted in more than 100,000 deaths and displaced over two million people. The massacre in Srebrenica, where more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed, stands as the gravest atrocity on European soil since World War II.
Among those affected by the war was Behzo, a Bosnian refugee who fled the violence with his family in 1993. Now 60 years old, Behzo resettled in Malaysia with his family of six and has lived there for more than three decades. His experience reflects the widespread displacement caused by the war and the enduring impact on survivors and their descendants.
Behzo’s family, like many others, eventually became permanent residents in their new country, illustrating the long-term consequences of the conflict and the resilience of those who endured it. Their story is a reminder that the repercussions of genocide extend far beyond the immediate tragedy, shaping lives and communities across the globe for decades.
The unveiling of the Srebrenica genocide monument in Paris is not only a tribute to the victims but also a call to global vigilance against hatred and violence. By situating the memorial alongside those honoring victims of other genocides, such as in Rwanda, Paris sends a powerful message about the shared responsibility to remember and to act.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s support was instrumental in bringing the monument to fruition. Her commitment reflects a broader dedication within Paris to honor human rights and the memory of those lost to atrocities. The Paris City Council’s decision to erect the monument further demonstrates the city’s role as a beacon of remembrance and justice.
Through this memorial, the story of Srebrenica is etched into the fabric of one of the world’s most visited cemeteries, ensuring that visitors from around the globe encounter this somber reminder. It is a place for reflection, education, and a solemn promise that such horrors must never be repeated.
The monument’s presence in Paris also complements international efforts to recognize and commemorate the genocide. The 2024 United Nations resolution, co-sponsored by France, established an International Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide, reinforcing the global commitment to acknowledge and learn from this tragedy.
As the world observes the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the new monument stands as a testament to the enduring pain of the victims’ families and the imperative to uphold human dignity. It invites all to confront the past honestly and to strive toward a future where such atrocities are impossible.
In remembering Srebrenica, Paris joins a chorus of voices demanding accountability, justice, and peace. The monument is more than stone and metal; it is a call to conscience, a beacon of hope, and a solemn vow that the memory of those lost will never fade.
