Thirteen years since the murder of Denis Mrnjavac: Unfortunately, violence seems to have no end

(Patria) - Tomorrow, 06.02.2021, Saturday, marks thirteen years since the murder of Denis Mrnjavac. On that occasion, a gathering will be held at the tram stop „Tehnička škola“ towards Ilidža (across from the American Embassy), and flowers will be laid in front of a photograph of Denis Mrnjavac.

For the record, Denis Mrnjavac was a boy, a 16-year-old high school student who, on his way home from school, was brutally beaten in a crowded tram, sustaining severe bodily injuries from which he died on 06.02.2008. Denis became a symbol of violence against children.

Even after thirteen years, nothing is being done to put an end to the violence that has become a daily occurrence on the streets of our city and country. Violence has no nation, no faith, and no religion. Violence has no age, years, gender, purpose, or goal! Violence becomes a number, defies understanding and common sense, is not suppressed by repression, and it seems that society, especially the authorities, completely forgets that the responsibility for violence lies precisely with them.

Violence is an end in itself and has only consequences: blood, pain, deep tragedy, and suffering. Unfortunately, violence seems to have no end... Every day, in all parts of our city and our country, young people and lives are threatened and extinguished as a result of some „new-old“ violence.

Even after thirteen years of submitting initiatives and receiving verbal promises from the authorities, we have not managed to realize the idea of creating a nearby park as a memorial square, a place to pay tribute to our Denis, as well as to all victims of post-war violence against children and young people. That square would serve as a constant reminder that violence must be responded to, that all the young lives lost on the streets of our City are not and will not be forgotten!

Unfortunately, we react to violence only when it happens, when it shows its ugly face and when we hear about yet another new victim. Then we worry again, talk about prevention, about reacting, with bookish and academic clichés, and everything is quickly forgotten until a new violent act jolts us from our immersion in everyday life and shows us that nothing we talked about makes sense if something is not finally and decisively done.

The fight against violence begins in the family, continues in kindergarten and school, lasts throughout life, and never ends. The fight against violence is the duty of the state, society, authorities, family, schools, and it is also the greatest duty of every individual! No one is spared, no one is safe, and no one is immune to violence! It is only a matter of time, opportunity, and circumstances. The violent are among us – they are waiting," the statement said.