33 years since the crime in Ahmići: A call for confronting the past and lasting remembrance of victims

(Patria) - On the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the war crime committed in Ahmići near Vitez, several civil society organizations have issued a joint statement reminding of the scale of the crime and calling for responsible confrontation with the past.

In the early morning hours of April 16, 1993, the attack on the Central Bosnian village of Ahmići was carried out by local units of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO). The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia characterized this crime as a crime against humanity.

This is one of the most heinous crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, and also the single largest crime during the Bosniak-Croat conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 116 Bosniak civilians were killed, including 32 women and 11 children under the age of 18. 24 people were wounded, while 169 houses and two mosques were destroyed.

For crimes in Central Bosnia, including Ahmići, Dario Kordić, former political leader of HDZ BiH, was finally sentenced to 25 years in prison on grounds of command responsibility.

The Hague Tribunal determined that the crime was committed within the framework of an international armed conflict between the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia, concluding that Croatia had "overall control" over the HVO, including the planning, coordination, and organization of its activities.

The organizations emphasize that Ahmići represents a symbol of a broader policy that requires clear and sincere confrontation with the past, and warn that the attitude towards this crime still reflects a lack of accountability.

They demand that the authorities of the Republic of Croatia officially mark April 16 as a day of remembrance for the civilian victims of Ahmići, in the same way that victims of war on the territory of Croatia are honored.

Furthermore, it is requested that the facts about the crime be included in the educational system, and that public media actively work on informing and educating citizens.

A special request has been sent to the City of Zagreb to name a square "Ahmići Victims Square," which would represent a lasting symbol of respect and a contribution to the culture of remembrance.

"Truth, remembrance, and good neighborly relations should be built through deeds, not just words," the statement reads, with a message that sincere confrontation with the past is a key prerequisite for preventing future crimes.

As part of the anniversary commemoration, an anti-war action will be held today at Ban Jelačić Square at 11 AM in memory of the victims.

On the same day, an obituary listing the names of all those killed will be published in the daily newspaper Jutarnji list.

The statement is signed by: Center for Women Victims of War – ROSA (Zagreb), Association for Social Research and Communication (UDIK) Sarajevo, Center for Civil Courage (Zagreb), Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past (Zagreb), and the Women's Network of Croatia.