One of the darkest moments in the history of the Siege of Sarajevo: On this day, the Army of Republika Srpska killed six children sledding

(Patria) - 32 years ago, a shell was fired from the positions of the Army of Republika Srpska, killing six children and wounding as many in Phase C of the Sarajevo settlement of Alipašino Polje while they were sledding.

On this day in 1994, the following were killed: Indira Brković (born December 21, 1982), Jasmina Brković (February 1, 1989), Mirza Dedović (January 7, 1986), Danijel Jurenić (March 27, 1983), Nermin Rizvanović (April 26, 1981), and Admir Subašić (July 5, 1985).

Marking the anniversary of one of the darkest moments in the history of the Siege of Sarajevo, families and friends, along with delegations, paid tribute today at Bosanska Street, near number 4, laying flowers at the site of their murder.

Speaking on behalf of Sarajevo Canton, Aida Osmančević from the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton stated that by marking this sad day, we are not only paying tribute to the murdered children but also sending a message that we will not forget.

“These places of remembrance are not just reminders of suffering but also warnings for the future. This warning is simple: never allow such crimes to happen again, neither here nor anywhere else,” Osmančević said.

She reminded that Sarajevo survived the longest siege of modern times, during which perpetrators made no distinction between victims, not choosing by age, gender, religion, or nationality. More than 12,000 fellow citizens were killed, including 1,601 children. These numbers, as she said, should not mislead us – each of them represents a name, a face, a story, and the immeasurable grief of families.

“Justice is our debt to the victims. For the crimes committed in Sarajevo, international courts have convicted only a small number of those responsible: Stanislav Galić, Dragomir Milošević, and Ratko Mladić. Verdicts are important, but they are not enough on their own.

Justice is not only in punishments; justice is also in acknowledging the truth, in fighting against denial, and in our unwavering determination to teach new generations about these events,” Osmančević stated, among other things, telling those present that their presence sends a message that we persevere over hatred, that we choose solidarity, and that we reject oblivion.

In addition to the families and friends of the murdered children, tributes were also paid by representatives of the Association of Parents of Murdered Children of Sarajevo 1992-1995, the Union of Civilian War Victims of Sarajevo Canton, the Assembly and Government of Sarajevo Canton, the City of Sarajevo, the Municipality of Novi Grad, the councils of local communities Alipašino Polje C1 and C2, the Fifth Primary School Ilidža...