# Plain Language Summary: Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act of 2023

This bill directs the U.S. government to officially recognize and commemorate the Srebrenica genocide, which occurred in Bosnia in 1995. During the Bosnian War, around 8,000 Bosniak Muslims were systematically killed by Bosnian Serb forces in the town of Srebrenica. The bill essentially asks Congress to acknowledge this historical tragedy and ensure it's remembered as a genocide—a term that carries significant legal and moral weight in international law.

The practical effect of this bill is largely symbolic but important. It establishes that the U.S. formally recognizes what happened in Srebrenica as genocide, which aligns the American government's position with international courts and other countries that have already made this determination. The bill likely encourages the State Department and other government agencies to include information about Srebrenica in educational materials and diplomatic discussions about preventing future genocides. It may also support memorial efforts and educational programs that teach Americans about this historical event.

This bill doesn't create new laws or change how Americans live their daily lives, nor does it provide direct financial aid or reparations. Instead, it's a statement of historical acknowledgment and remembrance. For people with family connections to Bosnia or those interested in genocide prevention and human rights, this bill represents official U.S. recognition of a tragedy that many believe has been underacknowledged. It signals that the government takes the prevention of mass atrocities seriously and wants to ensure that historical genocides are properly documented and remembered so future generations can learn from them.

Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act of 2023

Shaheen, Jeanne

Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act of 2023This bill designates July 11 as National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide. The designation pays tribute to victims of violence related to Serbian military actions against the town of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s.