Balkans | More than 3,000 civilians killed in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina are commemorated on White Ribbon Day

Celebrations took place within the scope of White Ribbon Day, held to commemorate the 3,176 civilians killed by Serbs after they were identified by white ribbons tied around their arms in 1992, when the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina began.

Within the scope of White Ribbon Day activities held in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2012, commemoration programs have been held all over the country, especially in Prijedor.

The crowd gathered in Prijedor, holding white roses in their hands, and demanded that the memorial to be built in memory of the 102 children killed 31 years ago be built as soon as possible.

Fikret Pasic, from the Association of Families of the Children Killed in Prijedor, recalled that they had been calling for the construction of a memorial for many years and said: “There are those who have been searching for the remains of their loved ones, children and relatives for 31 years. You don’t know how hard it is.” He said.

Noting that the bodies of 640 people in Prijedor have yet to be found, Bacic said, “This number is 7,000 throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am waiting for the bodies of 22 people to be found.” He said.

‘They burned our homes’

Milada Sebek, who lost her brother and many relatives in the war, said the past few days were terrible.

Izet Pesic, one of those who witnessed the massacre, stated that those who tied sheets in their homes and white ribbons in their arms as a result of the radio advertisement were first imprisoned in concentration camps and said: “I spent 4.5 months in the camp. They burned our houses.”

“My mother, my sister, my sister-in-law and their two children were killed. Very hard,” said Isima Alçik, who lost her entire family in Prijedor. Use phrases.

In the capital, Sarajevo, at a commemoration ceremony organized by the Anti-Dayton Movement, cardboard children’s silhouettes were placed, symbolizing the 102 children killed in Prijedor.

As part of White Ribbon Day, a series of celebrations took place in Sarajevo, while those who lost their lives were commemorated in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

Citizens wear white ribbons on their sleeves

In March 1992, when the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina had just begun, ethnic Serb Simo Drljaca, who had been appointed head of the State Security Service (UDBA) in the former Yugoslavia, armed 1,775 Serbs working in 13 police stations in Prijedor.

On the night of April 29, Serb forces captured the city of Prijedor, which at that time was Bosnian. Heavily armed Serb forces attacked villages around Prijedor on 23 May 1992. 3,176 civilians, including 102 children, were killed in the massacre of Prijedor and its environs.

In an announcement made on local radio on May 31, 1992, Serbs ordered “non-Serbs to hang white blankets on their windows and tie white ribbons on their arms when going out”.

While non-Serb civilians were identified in this way, those who were identified were taken to concentration camps where they were subjected to massacres, torture and rape.

About 30,000 civilians from Prijedor were held at that time in concentration camps in Omarska, Keraterm, Kozarak, Trnopolje and Mangaka. Tens of thousands were exiled from their homes.

While May 31, when it was announced on the radio, is celebrated as “White Ribbon Day” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, citizens wear white ribbons on their arms to show that they have not forgotten this day and the victims of war.

AA