On this day in 1993, despite promises of international protection and the presence of UNPROFOR forces, dozens of civilians were killed in an artillery attack on the school playground in Srebrenica, while a large number were wounded. To date, no one has been held accountable for this crime.
The conference was opened by dr. Emir Suljagić and others. Muamer Džananović, director of the Institute for Crime Research, University of Sarajevo.
dr. Džananović emphasized that the institutional cooperation between the Memorial Center and the Institute is an important contribution to a more systematic and responsible dealing with the past, but it is only one step, continuous work based on verified facts, documents and testimonies is necessary.
In his address, Director Suljagić pointed out the wider significance of this crime and the lack of justice, stressing that the crime of April 12, 1993 largely defined the events that followed, including the establishment of safe zones by the United Nations Security Council, but also that today, 33 years later, we are faced with the fact that there is still no judicial epilogue for this crime.
Through two panels, survivors, victims’ family members and researchers spoke about personal experiences, historical context and contemporary forms of crime denial.
Among the speakers were Hasan Hasanović, Ilijaz Pilav, Hajrudin Mešić, dr. Merisa Karović-Babić, Ph.D. Amir Kliko, dr. Hikmet Karčić, Hasan Hasanović and Edin Ikanović.
The message of the conference is clear: facts must remain protected, and the culture of memory must be continuous and based on truth.
(Vijesti.ba)
