“The genocide in Srebrenica mustn’t be allowed to remain a niche issue”
A conversation with activist Sejfuddin Dizdarevic
What drives a person to dedicate themselves tirelessly to education, remembrance, and civic engagement? Born in 1977 in Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Sejfuddin Dizdarevic came to Germany as a teenager. For him, the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995 marked a decisive turning point in his life. Although he comes from a different part of Bosnia, he soon came to realize: “If the circumstances had been different, I could have been a victim too.” This awareness sparked a deep sense of responsibility that has guided him ever since.
What drives a person to dedicate themselves tirelessly to education, remembrance, and civic engagement?
It was a gradual process rather than a single moment of revelation. But July 11, 1995 – the day of the Srebrenica massacre – was definitely a turning point. I was 18 at the time. Although I come from central Bosnia and am not from Srebrenica myself, I realized immediately that it could have happened to me. The fact that my town was spared was ultimately just a matter of circumstance. A feeling of solidarity with the victims and a sense of responsibility towards their history has stayed with me ever since. I couldn’t and wouldn’t carry on as if nothing had happened.
You’ve been involved in remembrance work for many years – how has it changed over time?
In the beginning, my involvement was sporadic, depending on my time, my surroundings, and my energy level. I had a job and a family – I was busy with my own life. But the massacre never let go of me. About five years ago, I decided to get more involved. I didn’t just want to remember, I wanted to actively raise awareness, especially here in Germany. Since then, I’ve been involved in lots of different projects: educational trips to Bosnia, commemorative marches, translating a firsthand account – and founding a network to support this type of work.
You co-founded the “Srebrenica Awareness Network.” What does networking mean to you – and to our culture of remembrance?
It’s essential. I’ve attended many events and I’ve realized that there are people all over Germany who are deeply committed to the cause – but who are also very isolated. Networking means joining forces, sharing experience, and organizing ourselves more effectively. We encourage each other and make our work more visible. Especially when you want to bring this topic into mainstream society, a strong network is crucial. The genocide in Srebrenica mustn’t be allowed to remain a niche issue. And as a network, we speak with one voice – that makes us stronger.
Networking means joining forces, sharing experience, and organizing ourselves more effectively. We encourage each other and make our work more visible. Especially when you want to bring this topic into mainstream society, a strong network is crucial.
Sejfuddin Dizdarević, co-founder of the Srebrenica Awareness Network e. V.
You also organize groups for the peace march in Bosnia. Do these kinds of events make a difference?
Yes, they’re very effective. The march retraces the escape route taken by people from Srebrenica as they tried to flee – that’s a distance of 90 kilometers so it takes three days. It’s physically demanding and emotionally challenging. But that’s what makes it transformative. Those who participate, who talk to survivors, who see what happened gain a deeper understanding of the magnitude of the crime. It leaves a particularly powerful impression on young people. I believe that experiences like that stay with you your whole life long. They build empathy, foster solidarity – and often instill a new sense of responsibility.
Can you tell me about some of the moments when you feel your work is making a real difference?
I have many moments like that. When I translated the testimony of a survivor into German, I didn’t have high expectations. Today, I know that over 10,000 people have read the book. Or someone accompanies me on a trip to Bosnia – and two years later they write about it as a journalist. Or they organize an event themselves. These people are agents of change. For me, that’s what it’s all about. I want to reach people who will carry the story into the future. I can’t do it all on my own, but I can plant seeds and that will grow.
You’ve mentioned on several occasions that far-right extremists sometimes invoke Srebrenica. Why is that so central to your work?
Because it shows that we’re not dealing with a closed chapter of history. Perpetrators like Anders Breivik or the Christchurch attacker openly refer to Srebrenica, citing it as a supposed model for how Muslims should be treated in the West as well. It’s frightening – and it’s often overlooked by the public. That’s why remembrance isn’t just about looking back, it’s also about being vigilant. We need to be aware of these references, call them out, and challenge them.
What would you like to see from politicians and society?
I want the Srebrenica genocide to become part of our historical memory – in Germany as well. It should appear in school textbooks, there should be memorial days, it should be part of civic education. We need funding for civil society initiatives, support for networks, spaces for dialogue and raising awareness. And I would like us to have more allies – people who ask themselves, “What does this have to do with me?” and then realize that it has everything to do with each and every one of us.
