The wounds of war have not healed even after thirty years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Politicians who, instead of topics related to economy and prosperity, imposed themes of division, hatred, and constant threats of war on the peoples of BiH are primarily responsible for this. And, usually, these are those who skilfully avoided participation in the war or were in the background. How much can those who suffered the most in the war do in such a situation?
In the organization of the Center for Nonviolent Action (CNA), former camp inmates, war veterans, and victims of war recently visited several locations of forced imprisonment, torture, and abuse of the civilian population. Throughout BiH, there are still over 130 unmarked places where the civilian population of all nationalities suffered.
“We are visiting detention facilities, believing that this is one step towards building peace in the territory of BiH,” said Nedzad Novalic, an activist of the CNA in BiH.
These people once again remembered their ordeal together, which, they point out, unites them in a way. The path to reconciliation, they are convinced, is guided by the truth.
There are numerous examples of authorities, from local to the entity, preventing the marking of places of suffering, often demolishing them or changing their purpose with the ultimate goal of hiding the truth. There are about 130 such in our country.
The victims of war do not count on politicians to help in reconciliation, because they emphasize that by digging up old wounds and sowing hatred and discord, they ensure survival in power. The people, they say, are victims of the manipulative relationship of politics, which is its own goal and purpose.
It is encouraging to know that those who lived through torture in the camps are joined by young people who do not remember that time but, they say, feel a duty to stop being silent observers for the sake of the future.
These people are determined to persevere in reconciliation and understanding, hoping that one day this country and region will be ruled by more honest, sincere, and, above all, more humane politicians.
