Ajna Jusic, Alen Muhic, and Lejla Damon, born as a result of sexual violence during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), have been named recipients of the Human Rights Award from the University of Oslo. They will receive the award on December 5th in the Norwegian capital.
This prestigious award, granted through the Lisl and Leo Eitinger Foundation since 1984, recognizes outstanding personal efforts and active advocacy for human rights worldwide. The three recipients represent the organization “Forgotten Children of War”, through which they fight for the rights, dignity, and legal protection of children born as a result of war while raising global awareness of their unique challenges.
Alen Muhic, from Gorazde, emphasizes that the award validates their fight for rights, dignity, and identity in BiH.
“The University of Oslo nominated us for this award on behalf of the Lisl and Leo Eitinger Foundation, which has been advocating for human rights since 1984. What we are doing in the 21st century aligns with this mission, though our stories are somewhat different. We honestly did not expect to receive this prestigious award, and it certainly holds great significance, especially for us in BiH, where stories like ours often remain untold. Our association is the first of its kind in BiH and the only one in the world. It was founded in Sarajevo in 2016 and currently has 11 members, although the number of children born as a result of sexual violence during the war is significantly higher,” said Muhic.
He points out that awards like this highlight their fight for the right to identity and dignity and represent a key step toward equality and freeing children of war from stigmatization.
His courage, along with the dedication of his colleagues, strengthens the international community’s understanding of the difficult situations faced by children born of war, not only in BiH but also in conflicts around the world.
“What is very important to us is that the children born as a result of acts of war rape in BiH are recognized. Two years ago, they were legally acknowledged as civilian victims of war under the subcategory of war rape. However, they still do not enjoy any rights. The legal struggle for recognizing this category began in the Brcko District, where those born as a result of sexual violence do receive certain rights. The greatest challenge will be achieving recognition for this population in the entity of Republika Srpska (RS),” Muhic concludes.
While they remain marginalized in their own country, Europe has recognized and given significance to this category. The voice of the “Forgotten Children of War” has already been heard in Bern, Switzerland; Birmingham, England; and through exhibitions held in Italian cities such as Ravenna and Bologna.
The crowning achievement will be the Human Rights Award in Oslo.
