Promotion of the book "Traces of Genocide: Grapska 1992–1995" was held.

The promotion of the book "Traces of Genocide: Grapska 1992–1995", the latest edition of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo, was held at the Grapska Cultural Center near Doboj. The author of the book is Dr. Sc. Almir Grabovica, a research associate at the Institute. The work is the result of several years of scientific research focused on documenting crimes committed against the civilian population of Grapska and the wider Doboj region during the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The opening speakers of the promotion were Amir Hurtić, president of the Grapska local community and a member of the RS parliament, and Ibrahim ef. Halilović, chief imam of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Doboj. After the opening speeches, the recitation of "The Martyr of Grapska" was performed by Safija Avdić.

The promoters of the book spoke at the promotion: Dr. Sc. Muamer Džananović, Prof. Dr. Ermin Kuka and Dr. Sc. Hikmet Karčić.

Dr. Muamer Džananović, Director of the Institute, emphasized the exceptional importance of empirical research when it comes to genocide and crimes against humanity. He pointed out that such research, although the most demanding and often socially underestimated, is at the very core of the academic and institutional struggle for truth and justice. He emphasized that Bosnian and Herzegovinan society is increasingly falling into the trap of reducing the crime of genocide to a single geographical area – Srebrenica – which carries the risk of denationalizing the victims and losing the breadth of genocidal intent. The book “Traces of Genocide: Grapska 1992–1995.” strongly breaks this narrative by pointing out the continuity of the crimes and their planned dimension. He particularly referred to the legally significant judgment of the Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf, confirmed by the High Federal Court of Germany, which established that the crimes in the Doboj region constituted acts of genocide and that they were committed with the clear intention of destroying the Bosniak community as a social entity. This legal assessment was also confirmed before the European Court of Human Rights.

Prof. Dr. Ermin Kuka emphasized in his speech that Grapska represents only one episode in the broader context of the planned occupation of Doboj, a city of strategic importance. He pointed out the connection of the crimes in Grapska with the first two “strategic goals of Serbian policy” in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the territorial demarcation of peoples and the establishment of a corridor between Serbia and Krajina. Through an analytical approach, the author of the book, according to Kuka, clearly demonstrated how the crimes were the result of a planned, ideologically motivated and institutionally supported policy. He also emphasized that the book responds to the needs of modern science in an argumentative manner, because it is based on valid research methods that shed light on the period preceding the direct aggression, which has often been neglected in previous analyses.

Dr. Hikmet Karčić emphasized that the book “Traces of Genocide: Grapska 1992–1995.” has multiple values – both documentary and educational. He particularly pointed out the importance of the fact that it was precisely in connection with the crimes in Grabska that a final verdict for genocide was issued before a court in Germany, which distinguishes this area as one of the rare
localities outside of eastern Bosnia for which there is an internationally established qualification of genocide. The book thus contributes to the fight against forgetting, but also represents a concrete contribution to the culture of memory that must be based on facts and legal truth.

At the very end of the promotion, Dr. Sc. Almir Grabovica expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone who attended the promotion of his book, emphasizing that he was particularly honored by the audience's response. Although he had intended to speak about the content of the book, this, as he said, had already been done through the presentations of the promoters, and he invited readers to form their own judgment about the act, expressing openness to constructive criticism. He particularly addressed the numerous challenges faced by researchers of genocide and other crimes against humanity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stated that the Institute, as a member of the University of Sarajevo, had not had the opportunity to support project work or publishing activities in previous years, and that thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of the director, Dr. Muamer Džananović, this year it was still able to secure certain funds for the printing of the Institute's publications. He emphasized the importance of the engagement of individuals and patriotic citizens, without whose effort, will and love for the homeland, such projects and works could not see the light of day. He expressed special gratitude for the help in the implementation of the project and writing the book to Dr. Džananović, not only as the director, but also as a colleague and one of the reviewers, and to numerous associates and friends from Grapska, among whom he highlighted Alja Hasančević and Senad Čehić as people of exceptional honesty and dedication. He also thanked Ibrahim-ef. Halilović, Haris-ef. Bečić, the Local Community and Jamaat of Grapska, the HEPRO Association, the Mayor of the Municipality of Doboj Istok, Kemal Bratić, and numerous others who helped with the work.

He also expressed his gratitude to the other reviewers and the editor of the book - prof. Ph.D. Ermina Kuki, dr. Hikmet Karčić and M.Sc. To Mustafa Dedović - as well as colleagues from the Institute, who contributed in various ways to the realization of this publication. He also thanked his family, friends and all those present who contributed to this important moment of memory and truth with their support.