Commemoration on the anniversary of the Markale massacre: The international community has not learned from its mistakes in BiH!

(Patria) - Nothing has been learned from the mistakes the international community made during the commission of crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was emphasized today in Sarajevo at the commemoration marking the 30th anniversary of the Markale massacre, in which 43 citizens of Sarajevo were killed and 84 wounded by a shell near the City Market.

The Mayor of Sarajevo, Samir Avdić, said that such difficult anniversaries are an obligation to remember those who built the foundations of Bosnia and Herzegovina with their lives, and whom we must truly see as true heroes of the city of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the time ahead.

"They lost their innocent lives because the criminal thought he could conquer Sarajevo, which, however, never happened," Avdić stated.

The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, said that the world has not learned from its mistakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"I call on the judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to put the issue of prosecuting those responsible for crimes in Sarajevo on the agenda, and that this must not be a political issue because it is a legal issue that the victims, their families, and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve," Uk stated.

The Director of the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of UNSA, Muamer Džananović, stated that today, as part of marking the 30th anniversary of one of the most massive crimes committed in Sarajevo, they are presenting an exhibition that speaks about the continuity of mass crimes during the siege of Sarajevo, where they place equal emphasis on the crime committed at Markale in February 1994, as well as on the one committed in 1995.

The President of the Union of Civilian War Victims of Sarajevo Canton, Senida Karović, expressed disappointment that for the siege of Sarajevo, which lasted 1,425 days, and for over 11,500 killed citizens - including 1,601 children - we unfortunately have only four verdicts, and those from the Hague Tribunal for criminals based on command responsibility.

After the commemoration, the Institute's exhibition titled “Crimes at Markale: Killing and Wounding Civilians - Prosecuting Criminals, Denying Truth, Resisting Oblivion” was opened, authored by Director Džananović, Senior Research Associate Merisa Karović-Babić, and Research Associate Sead Muhić.

The exhibition presents documents, photographs, and video recordings that detail the massacres at the Sarajevo market Markale during the siege of Sarajevo.

The exhibition will be displayed at the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina from August 29 to September 15 and will be open to visitors.