The unveiling of the Srebrenica Memorial Stone took place in the National Peace Garden in Cardiff, marking a significant moment in Wales’s ongoing commitment to a culture of remembrance, education and genocide prevention.
The ceremony was organised by Remembering Srebrenica Wales and brought together political leaders, religious leaders, civil society organisations, young people and members of the Bosnian community, the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network reported.
The event was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, the worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War, and was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide. The newly erected memorial stone will serve as a permanent place of remembrance, learning and reflection in Wales.
The programme opened with an opening address by WCIA Executive Director Hayley Morgan, followed by an introduction to the commemoration by Adam Poole, Programme Manager and Board Member of Remembering Srebrenica. An emotional video was then shown, providing historical context for the Srebrenica genocide.
Abi Carter, Co-Chair of Remembering Srebrenica Wales, spoke about the significance of the 30th anniversary of the genocide and the importance of the memorial stone project.
Poet Abeer Ameer performed a powerful rendition of the poem “Tombstone”, giving the ceremony a deeply reflective tone.
Minister for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, spoke about the significance of the memorial for Wales, highlighting the country’s long-standing commitment to human rights, peace and a resolute opposition to hatred and intolerance.
Closing remarks were made by the President of Remembering Srebrenica UK, Waqar Azmi OBE, who reaffirmed the organisation’s mission to educate future generations and to confront hatred in all its forms.
A particularly powerful part of the ceremony was the participation of young people, including the Srebrenica Youth Ambassadors, the Sea Cadets, representatives of the Welsh Youth Parliament and young volunteers from South Wales Police, who laid white flowers in memory of the victims.
The commemoration concluded with a prayer at the memorial stone led by Asim Hafeez, Director of International Strategy, Engagement and Devolution at the UK Home Office.
Remembering Srebrenica Wales Co-Chair Abi Carter said that placing a replica of the nišan located at the Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Centre in the National Peace Garden in Wales was a fitting and powerful act of remembrance of the innocent lives lost in the Srebrenica genocide.
“This memorial provides the Bosnian-Welsh community, as well as future generations, with a place to visit, learn, remember and reflect. It is particularly symbolic that the monument was unveiled on December 9, the International Day of Remembrance and Dignity for the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and for the Prevention of this Crime, and we are deeply grateful to all the officials who participated in this historic moment,” Carter stated.
The unveiling of the Srebrenica Memorial Stone in Wales represents a lasting legacy of a culture of remembrance, education and a strong commitment to the fight against genocide denial, hatred and intolerance. The monument will serve as a place of silence and reflection for generations to come, and as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance, compassion and solidarity, the statement said.
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