Voices from Srebrenica

In the hills of eastern Bosnia sits the small town of Srebrenica—once known for silver mines and health spas, now infamous for the genocide that occurred there during the Bosnian War. In July 1995, when the town fell to Serbian forces, 12,000 Muslim men and boys fled through the woods, seeking safe territory. Hunted for six days, more than 8000 were captured, killed at execution sites and later buried in mass graves. With harrowing personal narratives by survivors, this book provides eyewitness accounts of the Bosnian genocide, revealing stories of individual trauma, loss and resilience.

Ann Petrila is a professor of the practice and coordinator of Global Initiatives at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Her areas of expertise include global cultural perspectives, trauma, and genocide. Every summer she leads an experiential Bosnia-based course and internship program for University of Denver graduate students.

Hasan Hasanović survived the genocide in Srebrenica and is currently the head of the research department at the Srebrenica-Potočari Genocide Memorial Center in Bosnia. He lectures around the world about genocide and the risks of revisionist history and denial.

Ann Petrila and Hasan Hasanović

Foreword by Emir Suljagić

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 251
Bibliographic Info: 12 photos, maps, glossary, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8334-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4164-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments ix
Acronyms 1
Definitions 2
People and Places 5
Maps 12
Timeline 15
Foreword by Emir Suljagiæ 17
Preface by Ann Petrila 19
Introduction 27

Part I. Narratives

1. Execution Site Survivors 36
Ahmo Hasiæ 36
Hakija Huseinoviæ 44
Mevludin Oriæ 50
Nedžad Avdiæ 62

2. Death March Survivors 81
Dr. Fatima ­Dautbašiæ-Klempiæ 81
Hasan Sejfo Hasanoviæ 90
Hasan Aziz Hasanoviæ 103
Haso Hasanoviæ 113
Ramiz Nukiæ 119

3. UN Base Survivor 125
Nesib Mandžiæ 125

4. Mothers of Srebrenica 132
Hajra Æatiæ 132
Nura Mustafiæ 143
Saliha Osmanoviæ 150

5. Human Rights Activists 157
Žarko Koraè 159
Staša Zajoviæ 165
Sonja Biserko 172
Nataša Kandiæ 177

Part II. Aftermath

6. Response 184
Mass Graves 184
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) 185
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) 186
Women’s Associations 188
The ­Srebrenica-Potoèari Memorial Center and Cemetery 189

7. Ramifications 193
Psychological Responses to War and Genocide 193
Treatment of Psychological Issues 199
Sexual Violence 199

8. The Responsibility of the International Community 203
Failure to Protect 203
Dayton Peace Agreement 209
Failure to Deliver Justice 211

9. Lessons Learned 214
Nationalism 214
Hate Groups 215
Genocide: Theory and Prevention 216

Conclusion: Moving Forward 220
Chapter Notes 223
Bibliography 227
Index 239