Echoes of Genocide: Srebrenica Marked by Remembrance Marches and Calls for Truth

Thousands have embarked on a poignant three-day peace march through eastern Bosnia, retracing the perilous route of victims fleeing the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Europe’s worst atrocity since World War II, a somber occasion that has also been observed at the United Nations. The marches serve as a powerful testament to the enduring pain and a collective demand for justice and remembrance.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 7,000 people are participating in a 100-kilometer peace march.
• The event commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.
• Survivors and families continue to seek truth and justice amidst ongoing denial.
• The UN Secretary-General acknowledged past failures and urged action against hate speech and denial.

The March of Remembrance

The annual 100-kilometer (60-mile) march follows in reverse the path taken by Bosniak men and boys who were massacred after Bosnian Serb forces captured Srebrenica. Participants, including survivors and descendants, walk through forests to honor the memory of the more than 8,000 men and boys killed. Amir Kulagic, who survived the ordeal in 1995, expressed pride in his son and nephew for undertaking the march, despite his own poor health preventing him from joining.

A Global Call for Truth and Justice

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the world failed the people of Srebrenica due to "policies, propaganda, and international indifference." He urged all member nations to combat denial, distortion, and revisionism, warning against the resurgence of hate speech and the glorification of war criminals. Bosniak member of Bosnia’s presidency, Denis Bećirović, criticized Serbia’s leadership for denying the genocide, despite international court rulings, calling their stance "illogical, immoral and unacceptable."

The Ongoing Battle for Memory

Thirty years on, the pursuit of truth and justice continues. Amnesty International highlights that nearly 1,000 individuals presumed killed in Srebrenica remain missing, leaving families without closure. The organization also condemns renewed efforts by senior officials to deny the crimes and glorify convicted individuals. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the legacy of the genocide is further complicated by divergent historical narratives taught in schools, with some textbooks glorifying convicted war criminals. The Srebrenica Memorial Center, dedicated to preserving the memory of the genocide, has faced security concerns, underscoring the fragility of the post-war social fabric. Despite these challenges, initiatives like the "House of Good Tones" in Srebrenica use music to foster reconciliation among young people from different ethnic backgrounds.

Sources

• Thousands march in Bosnia for 30th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre, AP News.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: 30th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre “a painful reminder from history”, Amnesty International.
• Srebrenica Doomed: 30 Years After the Genocide in Bosnia, American Foreign Service Association.
• Srebrenica, 30 Years Later: The Battle for Memory in Bosnia-Herzegovina, New Lines Magazine.