Srebrenica 30th Anniversary: Survivor Nedzad Avdic Battles Rising Genocide Denial in Europe

As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, survivor Nedzad Avdic is intensifying his fight against a growing wave of denialism, recently confronting German parliamentarians who disputed the atrocity’s classification as genocide.

Avdic, who miraculously survived a mass execution at just 17 in July 1995, recounted his harrowing experience last week to members of the German parliament in Berlin. His testimony came amidst events commemorating the fall of the UN-protected “safe area” of Srebrenica, where Bosnian Serb forces systematically killed at least 7,000 male Bosnian Muslim prisoners – an act ruled as genocide by international courts.

Shockingly, during the parliamentary session, members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party openly argued against the genocide designation. Alexander Wolf claimed, “The Serbs shot men there, but generally spared women and children,” while Martin Sichert invoked a conspiracy theory, linking Srebrenica to a “birth jihad” narrative and warning against multiculturalism.

Experts warn that such denialism about war crimes, both past and present, is becoming increasingly prevalent and politically profitable worldwide. The AfD’s recent electoral success in Germany and the rise of figures like Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who dismisses the Srebrenica genocide as an “arranged tragedy,” underscore this disturbing trend. Denialism also generates significant online traffic, leading to financial gain for some purveyors.

Avdic, who has dedicated his life to sharing his story and preserving the truth, remains resolute. Despite the emotional toll and the increasing aggressiveness of denial, he continues to speak for the thousands who died, emphasizing the need to combat disinformation. His ongoing efforts, alongside other memorial leaders from Rwanda and Poland, aim to counter the revisionist narratives that threaten to erase historical facts and undermine justice.

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