The Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act of 2025 would designate July 11 as a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. It adds a new statutory designation, §149, to Chapter 1 of Title 36, United States Code.
The bill also outlines a set of recognition goals and observations that private citizens, organizations, and Federal, State, and local governmental entities are encouraged to carry out.
Beyond symbolism, the bill frames a number of concrete aims for observance, including paying tribute to the families of victims, condemning the genocide and related war crimes, and promoting human rights, democratic institutions, and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. It also adds a conforming amendment to the U.S. Code to formalize the new day in law.
At a Glance
What It Does
Designates July 11 as a National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide and adds §149 to Title 36.
Who It Affects
Applies to private citizens, organizations, and Federal, State, and local government and legislative bodies that may recognize the day through proclamations, programs, and education.
Why It Matters
Establishes an official, enduring remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide and sets expectations for education, memory, and anti-denial efforts at multiple levels of government and civil society.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill creates a formal, nationwide day of remembrance for the Srebrenica genocide by adding a new section (§149) to Title 36 of the United States Code. July 11 would be designated National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.
The act asks private citizens, organizations, and all levels of government to recognize the day through proclamations, educational activities, and related observances.
In its findings, the bill catalogues the historical context of Srebrenica, the scale of the killings, and the international community’s responses. In practice, the bill’s core directive is commemorative and educational rather than regulatory or funding-based.
The accompanying conforming amendment codifies the new section in the legal framework, ensuring the designation is part of the formal U.S. Code.Overall, the bill formalizes memory and education about Srebrenica as a recurring national activity, signaling U.S. support for human rights and Euro-Atlantic integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina while inviting broad participation from civil society and government.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill designates July 11 as National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide.
It adds a new §149 to Title 36, United States Code, establishing the day in statute.
Recognition is encouraged by private citizens, organizations, and Federal, State, and local government entities through proclamations and educational efforts.
The bill enumerates goals including tribute to victims, condemnation of the genocide, and promotion of human rights and reconciliation.
A technical, conforming amendment adds the new section to the table of sections in Title 36.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Short Title
establishes the official short title as the Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Act of 2025, naming the bill itself.
Findings
lays out the historical and legal context for acknowledging Srebrenica, including Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence, the Bosnian War, and international responses. The findings provide the policy basis for the memorial designation and emphasize recognition of genocide and related crimes.
National Day of Remembrance—Designation
designates July 11 as the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Srebrenica Genocide. It also sets forth recognition goals for private citizens, organizations, and government entities to observe and educate about the events and victims.
Technical and Conforming Amendments
amends the table of sections for Title 36 to insert §149, codifying the new National Day of Remembrance in the United States Code.
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Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Victims’ families and the Bosniak communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora, who gain formal acknowledgment and a national platform for remembrance.
Who Bears the Cost
- Federal, state, and local agencies may incur staff time and resource costs to promote or participate in observances.
- Educational institutions and NGOs may need to develop programs or materials to educate the public about Srebrenica.
- Local governments may issue proclamations or organize events, using existing budgets without new funding authorized by the bill.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether codifying a national remembrance day—alongside explicit condemnations and educational aims—strikes the right balance between honoring victims and avoiding political entanglement or potential inflamed rhetoric in a fragile regional context.
The bill creates a commemorative observance with no new funding authority. Implementation relies on ongoing agency activities and civil society programs, which could lead to varied participation and resources across jurisdictions.
The historical findings are broad and may be interpreted differently by stakeholders, particularly given ongoing debates about how to characterize or contextualize past events. The memorial designation also interacts with broader U.S. foreign-policy interests in Bosnia and Herzegovina and regional stability, making observance potentially sensitive in certain political climates.
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