Mother of slain Nermin (7), whose image circled the world, forced to beg for alms!

Nermin Divović, a seven-year-old boy from Sarajevo, was killed on November 18, 1994, by a sniper shot in besieged Sarajevo at a pedestrian crossing between the National Museum and the Faculty of Philosophy, reports the Patria news agency. The photograph of the slain Nermin circled the world, but it seems that Bosnia and Herzegovina has forgotten this tragic story.

For years, the "AntiDayton movement" has reminded people every November 18 of the cowardly murder of the seven-year-old boy.

When this innocent boy was killed, his mother was also wounded by the same bullet that killed Nermin.

Three months ago, "AntiDayton" decided to take action to erect a memorial to the "little lily" and collected money among its membership for its realization.

The plan is to install and unveil the memorial on November 18, the 20th anniversary of Nermin's murder, in the presence of a number of children of his age at the time.

- We wanted to inform Nermin's parents about this, who were repeatedly reported to have gone to America after Nermin's death and stayed there to live. However, we did not remain passive but continued the search and then came across very sad and unexpected information – says Nihad Aličković, a representative of "AntiDayton", for Patria.

Namely, Nermin's parents live in Sarajevo, specifically in Bistrik, and their life is far from the ordinary life of citizens. Nermin's parents and his two brothers, aged 18, one of whom bears his name, live in 18 square meters.

- The mother often begs for alms from passersby to provide one meal for the family. After visiting the family, we decided to help as much as possible. Again, within the members of "AntiDayton", we collected money that came from various countries to ease the coming winter for them. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent solution, and the family needs much greater help because the accommodation they are in is not fit for living – added Aličković.

During the visit to the Divović family, they were given the collected financial aid, specifically 500 KM, and food items worth 100 KM.

- For the Divović family, "AntiDayton" members have secured two more financial aids of 500 KM each, which will be given to them in twenty or forty days. We call on the authorities, municipalities, ministries, cantonal institutions, and the City Administration of Sarajevo to pay attention to the Divović family. Let the representatives of the authorities imagine themselves with their family in a space of 18 m2, full of dampness – emphasized Aličković.

He further notes that their goal, the unveiling of the memorial to the late Nermin Divović, will also be announced in the media, as the current documentation is under review by the city institutions, while the making of the memorial is in its final phase.

- We hope that the institutions will manage to complete their procedure on time, so that the memorial can be installed on November 18, 2014. All those who wish to help the Divović family can contact us via the FB group: AntiDayton Group or call the phone: +387 62 222 301 – noted Aličković.