STATEMENT BY CONSUL GENERAL TAYLAN ÖZGÜR AYDIN
AT THE 30TH COMMEMORATION ON THE SREBREBITSA / SREBRENICA GENOCIDE
(Dortmund, 9 July 2025)

Your Excellency Minister for Federal, European, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Nathanael Liminski,

Lord Mayor Mr. Thomas Westphal,

Your Excellency Ambassador Dr. Damir Arnaut,

Amir Aletic & Dr. EdvinDestanovic,


Distinguished Members of the German-Bosniak Community,

STATEMENT BY CONSUL GENERAL TAYLAN ÖZGÜR AYDIN
AT THE 30TH COMMEMORATION ON THE SREBREBITSA / SREBRENICA GENOCIDE
(Dortmund, 9 July 2025)

Your Excellency Minister for Federal, European, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Nathanael Liminski,

Lord Mayor Mr. Thomas Westphal,

Your Excellency Ambassador Dr. Damir Arnaut,

Amir Aletic & Dr. EdvinDestanovic,


Distinguished Members of the German-Bosniak Community,

Dear Guests,

It is a profound honour to be with you today as we come together to commemorate and reflect upon one of the darkest chapters in recent history—the genocide in Srebrenica.

Today, we gather not only to remember the pain and suffering of the past but to reaffirm our shared responsibility: to honour the victims, to stand with the survivors, and to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. Memory is a moral imperative, and silence is never an option in the face of injustice.


On the 30th anniversary of this horrific crime against humanity, we once again strongly condemn the Srebrenica genocide. We stand in solidarity with our Bosniak brothers and sisters as they continue to carry the burden of this grief—a grief that echoes far beyond the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Türkiye remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Balkans. We believe that sustainable peace can only be achieved through truth, mutual understanding, and respect for human dignity. In this spirit, we welcome the recent resolution by the United Nations designating July 11th as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. This is a significant step toward global recognition and remembrance, and a clear message that the international community will not forget.

Türkiye will continue to provide all necessary support for the security, stability, and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We believe that a united and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only essential for the region but also for the moral conscience of the world.

On behalf of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish people, I extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Your pain is our pain. Your memory is our memory.

Let us also look to the future. There is no doubt that the new generations—who carry the hope and resilience of their ancestors—are the true guarantors of a peaceful, just, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. They deserve a future free from fear and division, built on the foundations of coexistence, justice, and mutual respect.

May the memory of the victims be eternal.
May peace and justice prevail.

Thank you.