A WELL-known Keighley community figure says lessons must be learned from an atrocity committed almost three decades ago.

Dr Javed Bashir was speaking as the world marked the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He said some "symbolic" commemorative events had taken place in the district as part of Remembering Srebrenica Week, but he questioned to what extent people had learned from the past.

In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces murdered over 8,300 Bosnian Muslim men and boys, in an area which had previously been declared safe by the United Nations.

"Fifty years after the world had said 'never again' following the horrors of the Holocaust, genocide once again took place on European soil," said Dr Bashir, an ambassador for the Remembering Srebrenica charity.

"The name Srebrenica has become synonymous with those dark days in July, 1995, when – in the first-ever UN-declared safe area – thousands of men and boys were systematically murdered and buried in mass graves.

"This was the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War.

"Srebrenica must not become an element of Bosnian memory alone, but a defining element of European history, taught to all young people.

"We all have a responsibility to act, and the most important lesson from Srebrenica is that in order to prevent such horrors we must take action immediately by creating a society in which people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds can live and work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.

"Genocides do not happen overnight. Hatred, suspicion and fear are some of the early indicators.

"Hatred must not be tolerated in any shape or form.

"Racism, discrimination and the promotion of hatred continues to persist and we must each feel empowered to stand up and speak out against intolerance and racial abuse, wherever and whenever it occurs."

Dr Bashir last year received a doctorate from the University of Bradford, in honour of his contributions to community cohesion.

He played a pivotal role during the pandemic, when he teamed up with various faith communities to set up the Volunteering Interfaith Partnership (VIP) – in collaboration with Strengthening Faith Institutions and Age UK Bradford & District.

The partnership provided hot meals, welfare packs and general support to elderly and vulnerable people.

Dr Bashir is also founder and chief executive officer of the Professional Muslims Institute, and lectures in policing at Leeds Trinity University.