The Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, participated in a commemoration ceremony held in Potočari marking the 31st anniversary of the Srebrenica event. During the proceedings, Göktaş emphasized the importance of remembrance, stating that the gathering served to ensure the atrocities committed are not forgotten and to relay the message of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Minister Göktaş addressed the historical gravity of the incident, asserting that an estimated 8,372 Muslims were killed in Srebrenica three decades ago, characterizing the event as a clear instance of genocide that occurred under international observation.
She expressed solidarity with the affected community, noting, “We share the pain of the mothers and pray to God for mercy for all our Bosnian brothers and sisters who lost their lives.”
She further contextualized the tragedy, describing the event as a profound and significant loss within recent European history. Göktaş stressed that the scale of the violence constituted a major genocide that took place in the heart of Europe, witnessed by the global community. Her participation underscored Turkey’s commitment to acknowledging the historical record surrounding the Srebrenica genocide.
The minister’s statements focused on memorializing the victims and upholding the memory of the event, confirming the enduring need for international recognition of the historical facts.
Topics: #genocide #srebrenica #not