Bosniaks of Kotor Varoš Still Await Justice: 175 Persons Sought, Not a Single Verdict for Crimes

From 1 to 3 November 2015, the Bosniaks of Kotor Varoš will pay dignified tribute to the killed, captured and missing Bosniaks, as well as to those who survived torture, abuse and severe hardships during the war from 1992 to 1995, appeal for speeding up the resolution of the fate of missing persons and warn so that crimes are not repeated, reports the Patria news agency.

Among other things, a peace march is planned, “Silent Walk for Great Pain” (traditional) – Departure on 01.11.2015 at 8:00 AM in front of the mosque in Karaula (Travnik Municipality) and ending with arrival in Večići (Kotor Varoš Municipality) on 03.11.2015, and a central ceremony – 03. 11. 2015 starting at 10:00 AM – Večići.

At the central ceremony, the arrival and address of representatives of authorities from both entities is expected, as well as numerous citizens from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

23 years after the capture and 20 years after the Dayton Agreement, the fate of 249 Bosniaks and about 30 Croats from Kotor Varoš is still unknown.

For information, only in the period from 1 to 3 November 1992, on the route of the Peace March, 177 Bosniaks were captured, and 175 of them are still on the list of missing persons. From the mentioned group, 161 Bosniaks were last seen on 3 November 1992 in the premises of the Primary School in Grabovica, Kotor Varoš Municipality.

Not a single verdict has yet been pronounced for crimes against the Bosniaks of Kotor Varoš.

The goal of the commemoration is to keep alive the memorials of remembrance through which messages of peace will be sent and warnings so that crimes are not repeated and happen to anyone in the future.