Summary
The Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces in 1995, remains a painful memory in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A new play, "Flowers of Srebrenica," highlights this tragedy and ongoing ethnic tensions in the region. Despite convictions for the genocide, some leaders still deny it happened, reflecting deep divisions within the country.
Key Facts
- In July 1995, over 8,000 Bosnian men and boys were killed in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces.
- The United Nations was supposed to protect Srebrenica, but Dutch soldiers did not prevent the massacre.
- Bodies were originally placed in mass graves but later moved to hide the crime, complicating identification.
- DNA testing has helped many families identify and bury their loved ones at Potočari Cemetery.
- The play "Flowers of Srebrenica" shows the identification of massacre victims by clothing and personal items.
- Some Bosnian Serb leaders deny the genocide, despite international convictions of Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two entities by the Dayton Peace Agreement, contributing to current tensions.
- Republika Srpska’s president, Milorad Dodik, has taken steps challenging Bosnia's national institutions, causing further conflict.
