Srebrenica: Thousands gathered on Wednesday to participate in the Peace March along the forest trail that Bosniak civilians used to flee during the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, with the aim of reaching the northeastern city of Tuzla.
According to Anadolu Agency, over 6,000 participants convened in the town of Nezuk for the annual three-day march, an event that forms part of the commemorations marking the 31st anniversary of the genocide, during which at least 8,372 Bosniak civilians were killed by Bosnian Serb forces. The march retraces the forest route, locally known as the "Death March," where thousands of Bosniaks attempted to escape the massacre in July 1995.
Participants will cover 35 kilometers (22 miles) each day, culminating at the Potocari Memorial Cemetery on July 10. Among the marchers are survivors who utilized the same route to escape. They carried symbols such as the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, wartime Bosniak flags with the golden lily emblem, and Turkish and Palestinian flags.
Ismet Selman, from Travnik, emphasized the importance of participating in the march, stating the necessity to ensure the events are never forgotten. Selman also expressed solidarity with Palestinians, likening their situation to the atrocities faced by Bosniaks. Amra Hashemi, originally from Srebrenica and now residing in Austria, participated alongside her family, reflecting on the personal impact and pride in being part of the march. Her husband, Seyed Hashemi, hoped the experience would offer insights into the historical suffering endured during the genocide.
Mirzet Omerovic, a native of Srebrenica living in Sweden, noted the emotional atmosphere of the event, stressing the importance of unity in defending Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mirsa Mehinagic, a 77-year-old participant from Montenegro, underscored the personal duty to remember and advocate for awareness by joining the march for the 20th time.
Children also participated in the Peace March, which attracted individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, and several other nations.
Following the capture of Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces under Ratko Mladic on July 11, 1995, many Bosniak civilians seeking refuge at a UN base were handed over to Serb forces, leading to the brutal killing of 8,372 men and boys. Their remains were buried in mass graves, later to be unearthed and identified for proper burial.
To date, 6,772 victims have been buried at the Potocari Memorial Cemetery, with 250 laid to rest in local cemeteries at family requests. Over 1,000 victims remain missing. The International Court of Justice classified the Srebrenica atrocities as genocide in 2007. As part of this year's commemorations, ten more identified victims will be interred at the Potocari Memorial Cemetery on July 10.