A collective of more than 6,500 participants gathered at dawn on Wednesday in Bosnia and Herzegovina to commence a commemorative peace march dedicated to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The marchers arrived from various regions across the country and from abroad to honor those who perished and to remember the individuals who, in July 1995, walked for several days in a desperate bid to save their lives.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, participant Ibis Husejnovic stated that he joined the march to feel the pain and the silence associated with the tragedy. Another marcher, Raifa Duzic, expressed a desire to experience a small portion of what those fleeing for their lives endured, emphasizing that the events must never be forgotten.
This year marks the 22nd edition of the peace march. Over the course of three days, participants are scheduled to cover a distance of 100 kilometres. The route is designed to pass through significant historical sites, including locations where mass executions occurred and where mass graves were subsequently discovered. The marchers are expected to reach Potocari, near Srebrenica, on July 10, just one day prior to the official commemorations of the genocide.
The historical context of the event dates back to July 1995, when the Bosnian Serb army seized control of Srebrenica. During the occupation, more than 8,000 men and teenagers were brutally murdered. Additionally, the remaining Bosniak Muslim population in the area—comprising approximately 25,000 women, children, and elderly individuals—was subjected to forced relocation.
