Writing – Arnes

Srebrenica genocide is the largest genocide in Europe after World War II. Over 8000 Bosniaks and Croats, mainly men and boys were killed simply for their ethnicity. Many families are still mourning but sadly we can’t change history. What we must do, what is our obligation is remembering it and fighting against historic revisionism. 25 years have passed since the end of the war, and we still have war criminals being branded as national heroes, discrimination and provocation of minorities and survivors, genocide denial at best and genocide cheering at worst. It is sad that we still talk about war, especially young people. We want to talk about future, we want to live together but talking about the war, talking about facts is the best way of countering the culture of denial that some in our country and further have. We can’t and must not hate younger generation of one nation for what happened in the war, but we must hold the older generation responsible. Accepting that not all three sides were equal, that we had aggressors in the war and the ones who were defending themselves is key. Talking openly about the war, about the genocide in Srebrenica between Bosniak, Croat and Serb youth is one step ahead in being closer to peace and post war reconciliation.