Ahead of the 30th Anniversary, Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Wicker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Remembering the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, introduced the bipartisan Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act. The legislation would honor the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide and reaffirm U.S. support for a multi-ethnic democratic, stable Bosnia and Herzegovina. July 11 marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.

“The Srebrenica genocide remains the biggest single event of mass murder in Europe since the end of World War II,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “I am proud to join Senator Wicker in reintroducing this bipartisan bill so that we may never forget the victims – more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys – buried in those mass graves. We must remain committed to honoring their memory and doing all that we can to advance democracy, stability, peace and prosperity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

“Today, we join with Bosnia and Herzegovina in mourning the victims of the genocide at Srebrenica,” said Senator Wicker. “The 30th anniversary of this tragedy reminds us of the importance of U.S. leadership on the global stage. Atrocities such as these must never happen again. The United States stands firm in our support of stability and territorial integrity in the region.” 

Key provisions of the Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act:

• Designate and recognize July 11 as National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide
  
  
• Reaffirm support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens’ pursuit of further Euro-Atlantic integration
  
  
• Encourage continued efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Southeast Europe and the world to counter efforts to undermine respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all

Full text of the bill can be found HERE

Ranking Member Shaheen continues to be a strong advocate for preserving the multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina and remains committed to honoring the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide. In 2015, Senators Shaheen and Wicker traveled to Srebrenica to mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide. In 2023, Senators Shaheen and Wicker first introduced the Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act in the 118th Congress. 

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