The Srebrenica massacre, a dark chapter in Bosnia’s history, continues to haunt the survivors and the town itself. Sabrija Hajdarevic, a Bosnian woman living in Australia, makes an annual pilgrimage to Srebrenica to honor her husband and father, who were among the thousands killed by Serb forces in 1995. This year, the 11th of July will be marked as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration for the first time, following a UN General Assembly ruling in May.
The brutal events of the Srebrenica massacre, recognized as a genocide by the UN, left deep scars on the town and its people. Many families are still waiting for closure as the identification process for the victims’ remains is ongoing. Berija Delic, who lost her husband in the massacre, returned to Srebrenica from Malta last year to bury his remains, found a decade after his death.
Despite efforts to heal and move forward, Srebrenica remains a town in decline. Unemployment is high, and the population is dwindling as people seek opportunities elsewhere. The recent UN resolution designating the 11th of July as a day of remembrance has not changed the economic challenges facing the town.
As the younger generation prepares to leave for better prospects, the future of Srebrenica remains uncertain. Slavisa Petrovic, a local Serb, laments the exodus of residents and the decline of the town. He is determined to stay, but acknowledges that his daughter may not feel the same attachment to Srebrenica in the future.
The wounds of the Srebrenica massacre run deep, both in the hearts of the survivors and in the fabric of the town itself. As the world marks the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration, the people of Srebrenica continue to grapple with the legacy of the tragic events of 1995.
