The victims of the Srebrenica genocide were remembered outside Barking town hall today.

A two minute silence was observed to remember the 8,372 Muslim Serb men and boys who were killed in Bosnia 22 years ago.

This was the single largest atrocity committed on European soil since the Second World War and occurred despite Srebrenica being declared a UN Safe Area.

As well as the silence, Tuesday’s event featured the raising of the Remembering Srebrenica flag, a poetry reading by pupils from Gascoigne Primary School, a survivor account from Dr Shelia Osmanovic and a film screening.

Councillor Saima Ashraf, deputy leader and cabinet member for community leadership and engagement, said: “It is hard to believe that this appalling act of hate happened in recent times and we should all take a moment to remember those that lost their lives on this awful day.

“Discrimination is still very much alive today and something we must all fight against.”