Members of the Dialogue Committee of the Srebrenica Memorial Center visited Berlin, where they toured the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, held discussions with the memorial’s leadership, and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. In the Bundestag, they met with parliamentarian Josip Juratović regarding joint initiatives and possible activities related to marking the 30th anniversary of the genocide, including an exhibition in the German Bundestag.

The delegation was also received by  Damir Arnaut, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Germany, with a special focus on cooperation to commemorate this anniversary.

Almir Salihović, the coordinator of the Dialogue Committee, emphasized the importance of building international support networks for the community in eastern Bosnia, underscoring the significance of visits and partnerships realized with the support of the  United Kingdom Government  through the project  “Sustainable Development of the Memorial Center.”

"The reception by Ambassador Damir Arnaut and the entire team of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Germany shows how crucial it is to have a strengthened diplomatic network worldwide. They truly understand the importance of communication and the necessity for the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina to stand behind such visits and meetings. A big thank you also goes to the hosts and our partners from the United Kingdom Government, who have recognized the importance of internationalizing the activities of the Memorial Center and the Dialogue Committee," said Salihović.

The meeting in the Bundestag with Josip Juratović was an opportunity to discuss practical steps leading to the organization of an exhibition dedicated to Srebrenica within the German parliament, as part of a broader program that will evoke remembrance of the victims of genocide and encourage dialogue.

"The Srebrenica Memorial Center has positive experiences with initiatives from important German organizations such as  Arolsen Archives,  Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst,  Heinrich Böll Foundation,  Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and  Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which have made outstanding contributions to fostering dialogue, confronting the past, and promoting a culture of peace. We collaborate with memorials and are building this network. We believe that today is a good signal to continue working with them at the local level in Bosnia and Herzegovina, developing the idea of a strategic approach by Germany and German society to the culture of remembrance of Srebrenica. Their work creates spaces for constructive conversations and the preservation of the memory of the Srebrenica genocide. Through cooperation with these partners, we will work to ensure that support for the  30th anniversary of the genocide becomes part of multiparty initiatives of friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular emphasis on Germany’s engagement at this important moment. The experiences shared from the oral history research led by  Hasan Hasanović left a particularly strong impression, as did the preparations the institution is undertaking for the upcoming period. That is why we are here today. Special thanks also to the  Islamic Community of Bosniaks in Germany, which helped organize the visits," said Salihović.

The visit to Berlin is part of broader efforts to make the commemoration of the  30th anniversary of the genocide a global event, guided by the obligations of marking the  International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica, which is part of the United Nations calendar.

The Dialogue Committee continues its work with the goal of building international partnerships to preserve the memory of Srebrenica as a lasting warning for the future.

Emina Frljak, an activist in interfaith dialogue and a member of the Committee, added: "The visit to the Memorial and the Bundestag once again reminds us of the importance of building bridges between people. The German experience shows that a culture of remembrance plays a key role in building a society that has learned from the past."

Šuhra Sinanović, president of the association  Žene Podrinja Bratunac, added: "Such visits are of great importance, not only for remembering our victims but also for strengthening international support for our fight for justice and truth. The Srebrenica genocide must remain a warning for future generations."