Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the memorial ceremony held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

Erdoğan said: “We will neither forget our martyrs nor let the Srebrenica genocide be forgotten. We will follow up the murders and massacres committed against our Bosnian brothers and sisters, and will never leave you alone in your pursuit of justice.”

Saluting the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the guests attending the ceremony, Erdoğan said: “We meet here today to remember the Srebrenica genocide, which is one of the sorrowful and disgraceful pages in history, and to share the sufferings of the Bosnian people.”

“Women still hope to meet with their husbands and children with their parents”

“My mind and heart are always with Bosnia even though I cannot be there today among you due to COVID-19. I remember with grace the august martyrs who were massacred 25 years ago. On behalf of my nation, I extend my condolences to their mournful families,” Erdoğan said.

“Last year, we bid farewell together our martyrs, whose bodies had recently been recovered, from Sarajevo to Srebrenica. We witnessed together the solemn stance of the families despite their sorrow,” Erdoğan noted.

“Although it has been 25 years since the genocide, our pain is still fresh. With every mass grave that is discovered, our hearts get wounded once again,” Erdoğan underlined.

“Women still hope to meet with their husbands and children with their parents,”Erdoğan underscored. “Although it has been a long time since the genocide, mothers are still waiting for their children. For 25 years, we have been looking for our loved ones on the trail of blue butterflies. About martyrs, our Lord says ‘do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.’ And we believe that our martyrs are alive among us. The late Alija Izetbegović used to say ‘Never forget the genocide. If forgotten, it will be repeated.’ We will neither forget our martyrs nor let the Srebrenica genocide be forgotten. We will follow up the murders and massacres committed against our Bosnian brothers and sisters, and will never leave you alone in your pursuit of justice,” Erdoğan said.

“European politicians never learned their lesson from the Srebrenica massacre”

“Recent Islamophobic attacks in western countries show that we must be alert about this matter. Despite all the tragedies, massacres and tears, European politicians never learned their lesson from the Srebrenica massacre. It is a great source of concern for our future that remarks, which fuel Islamophobia and support Xenophobia, are till freely made. In order to not suffer from similar tragedies, significant responsibilities fall on us as well as international organizations,” Erdoğan said.

“We are representatives of a civilization which gave beautiful examples of tolerance and peace for centuries,” Erdoğan said.

 “We cannot allow differences of opinion, ethnic, cultural and sectarian distinctions to divide us and set us against each other. We must continue our fight for justice with full confidence and an understanding that ‘If we are right, we are powerful.’ May our Lord help and guide us! Before I end my remarks with these thoughts, I would like to underline that Turkey and the Turkish nation will always support Bosnia and Herzegovina. I wish Allah’s mercy upon Srebrenica martyrs, and patience to their families, loved ones and to all who feels this sorrow in their hearts.” (ILKHA)