Subašić: We mothers are proud because we managed to mark the site of genocide

(Patria) - We mothers are proud that we managed to mark the site of genocide and crimes, with white tombstones we have written history. Each tombstone speaks for itself, each tombstone has its story. There is no eraser that
can erase what happened to us - said Munira Subašić, president of the Association "Movement of Mothers of the Enclaves of Srebrenica and Žepa", today in a special program of RTV BIR, which is being broadcast live from Potočari.

Subašić spoke on this occasion about the fight for truth and justice that mothers have been waging all these years.

"Every person has the right to their marker when they die; one who is not found will not be recorded as having lived. That is why we are fighting for the truth to be known, for our mothers to have a grave to visit. I am a mother who buried her son here, with the smallest parts of his body, to be an example to other mothers to do the same. I have a tombstone here in the
Memorial Center, it is recorded that my Nerko was born in Srebrenica.

I often go, hug his tombstone, talk to him. I feel sorry for the mothers who will not have that opportunity," she said.

She also recalled the recent meeting mothers had with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying that many projects are planned to contribute to the truth about the genocide.

"We asked for a memorial room to be built, like the Jews have, which will be dedicated to Srebrenica and in which all the things we fought with to prove justice and have it satisfied will be found. We asked for a chair for genocide.

At the state level, we asked for a fund to be established so that when we are no longer here, young people can organize conferences, so that what happened here is not forgotten, so they can build memorials. The funds would also be used for funerals and burials for families who cannot afford them, because as long as the world exists, the exhumations will continue. This will not end this year or next year, because those who committed the crime will not talk about the mass graves," Subašić stated.

Although the number of 8,372 victims of genocide is engraved on the stone slabs in the Memorial Center, Subašić says that this number is much higher, and that according to the records of the association, 10,701 people were killed.

"The stone says the number 8372, which was adopted by the commission formed by High Representative Paddy Ashdown. That number is stated to be the number killed in the period from July 10 to 19, but according to our database, it is 10,701 killed people," Subašić stated.

She said that the victims' families plan to create a pillar of honor and a pillar of shame.

"On the pillar of shame, we will put the names of all those who denied the genocides, who helped the genocide happen, who participated in the genocide. The names of two high representatives who will be placed on the pillar of shame are already there. There are also names of local people.

On the pillar of honor will be those who helped to arrive at the truth, who stopped the crimes. We also plan to build a tombstone in a corner of the Memorial Center, to engrave the names of those who were not found after 30 years. It will bear their first and last name, and it will say that they were not found, but that it is recorded that they lived. I hope there will be a mosque near our center. These are my wishes, and that I may go peacefully to a better and more just world," she said.

Subašić pointed out the importance of the "Stanišić and Simatović" verdict, which found Serbia guilty of participation in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"The latest verdict is of historical importance, as the chief prosecutor said, 'never again can anyone say that it was a civil war or conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that it was aggression by Serbia and Croatia.' Could it have ended better? No. It is the mothers who clearly and loudly said what happened and fought for that justice," said
Subašić.

She also pointed out the fact that no indictment has yet been filed for denying genocide, emphasizing that it is a disgrace.

"Unfortunately, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is more of a political court than a legal court. A large number of judges are compliant because they were appointed by political parties. When the compliant ones leave and the capable ones arrive, then there will be justice for all mothers seeking justice," said Subašić.

She stated that "despite those who work against Bosnia and Herzegovina, this country, which has survived genocide, will survive all attacks".

"Bosnia and Bosniaks will exist, no matter what anyone thinks," Subašić concluded.