Today marks the solemn 29th anniversary of the tragic event that claimed the lives of ten Sarajevo citizens and left eleven others wounded. As we gather to lay flowers and visit the former “Tunnel of Hope,” we do so with the intention of honoring the memory of those lost and injured, and to ensure that such a heinous crime is never forgotten or repeated. It is our duty to preserve the culture of remembrance of life in a city under siege.
Senida Karovic, the president of the Union of Civilian War Victims of the Canton Sarajevo, emphasizes the importance of commemorating the 46 sites of civilian war victims during the siege of the capital. Among these sites is the tragic incident at the entrance to the “Tunnel of Hope.”
This year, on May 7th, we remember the ten Sarajevo citizens who lost their lives at the tunnel entrance in 1995, with eleven others sustaining injuries. Despite waning interest in commemoration events, Karovic stresses the essential role of the victims in driving these activities to ensure that the past is never forgotten.
The “Tunnel of Hope” held immense significance after its opening in 1993, serving as a lifeline for Sarajevo citizens by providing essential supplies and information. By honoring the memories of those affected, we also honor the resilience of Sarajevo’s inhabitants during a tumultuous time.
Karovic underscores the importance of maintaining a culture of remembrance to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities. We must never forget the hardships faced by the citizens of Sarajevo during the siege.
The judgments handed down by The Hague Tribunal, sentencing leaders responsible for the terror campaigns against civilians, including Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, serve as a form of justice for the victims. The Tribunal’s rulings highlight the deliberate targeting of civilians and the campaign of terror endured by the people of Sarajevo.
The Hague also sentenced former commanders Stanislav Galic and Dragomir Milosevic for their roles in terrorizing civilians in Sarajevo. These verdicts stand as a testament to the accountability for wartime atrocities.
While the Hague Tribunal established the deliberate targeting of civilians by the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps of the VRS, no direct perpetrators have yet been prosecuted. The scars of the siege serve as a painful reminder of the horrors endured by the residents of Sarajevo.
As we reflect on the 44 months of the siege, which claimed the lives of over 11,000 residents, including approximately 1,601 children, it is crucial to uphold the memory of those lost and to strive for a future free from such atrocities.
E.Dz.