On April 30, some of Brcko commemorated 30 years since the bridge was bombed by Bosnian Serb forces in 1992. Others honked horns from cars near mosques and flailed Republika Sprka flags.
Exactly thirty years ago today on April 30 1992, approximately 100 innocent civilians were killed on the Sava River in Brčko when Bosnian Serb forces blew up the bridge connecting Bosnia to Croatia.
Many were workers crossing from Croatia to Brčko in order to celebrate the Labour Day weekend, when they got caught in the explosion and lost their lives. Others were refugees trying to flee.
Three decades later, nobody has ever been held accountable for the mass killings of innocent civilians on the bridge.
The memorial event held today was called ‘The Commemoration of 30 Years Since Committed War Crimes on Civilians of Non-Serb Nationality in Brčko’, and involved family members of those killed in the explosion, alongside the Brcko mayor Esed Kadrić, and Deputy mayor Anto Domić, as well as Bosniak and Croat party representatives, gathering together at the Brcko-Gunya border crossing, and laying wreaths and flowers to pay their respects.
According to President of the Association of Missing and Murdered Bosniaks, Ramiz Ahmetovic, each year they come to pay tribute to the massacre, in the hope that justice will finally be sought.
“Every 30th April, already for 30 long years, we are coming to this place which is a symbol of the suffering of innocent people.
“This place has unfortunately also become a symbol of the non-action of those who should bring to the face of justice those responsible for the deaths and sufferings of three decades ago.
“That’s why we do come every year—to say what hurts us and again seek justice,” Mr Ahmetovic said.
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Families of Civilians Born and Killed Brčko, Marin Brkic said that despite their efforts each year, he is skeptical whether an indictment for the murders of innocent victims on the bridge will ever be filed.
“The indictment isn’t even on the horizon, I doubt that it will ever be submitted,” Mr Brkic said.
“We spin around in a vicious circle where every year we make the same statements.
“Some people look at us from the side and laugh,” he said.
During the commemorations, cars flying flags of Republika Srpska could be seen and heard honking their horns loudly throughout the predominantly Bosniak and Croat side of town.
A local who was just a child during the Brcko bridge blast (and wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution), believes such behaviour is both appalling and divisive.
“In our culture, driving in cars honking signifies a happy celebration— for example graduations and weddings.
“The fact that nationalists chose today to drive around and wave their flags and honk their horns is nothing short of distasteful, disrespectful, and deeply dividing—and broadening the mistrust.”
The Brcko resident went on to say that nationalist displays in a multiethnic town on a day of mourning fosters community fear, and sets back reconciliation efforts.
“A lot of people lost somebody— whether they lost their childhood, or loved ones, or limbs—everybody’s lost something due to the Serb aggression.
“When I see my co-citizens celebrating what should be mourned, how can I trust these people not to do any of it again?
“How can we peacefully live, when they celebrate what I’m mourning, openly and publicly?” the local added.
The anniversary of the Brčko bridge massacre was also attended by former members from the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croatian Defence Council, and the Bosnian Serb Army, as well as activists for peace and reconciliation.
