The Srebrenica massacre, one of the most horrific events in recent 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 in 1995 by Serb forces.
This year, July 11 will be observed as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration for the first time, following a UN General Assembly ruling. The Srebrenica massacre, recognized as a genocide by the UN, marked the climax of the war in Bosnia, which erupted after the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.
Despite the passage of time, the wounds of the massacre are still fresh for many survivors. Berija Delic, who lost her husband in the massacre, only recovered his remains a decade later. She returned to Srebrenica from Malta last year, where she had sought refuge after the war.
The town of Srebrenica, once a predominantly Bosniak Muslim town, is now mostly populated by Serbs. The aftermath of the war has left the town struggling with unemployment and a sense of decline. Many residents, both Serbs and Bosniaks, are leaving in search of better opportunities.
Despite efforts to promote reconciliation and unity, the scars of the past still linger in Srebrenica. The town, once a symbol of tragedy and loss, now faces the challenge of rebuilding and moving forward while honoring the memory of those who perished in the massacre.
