CONFERENCE HELD ON THE MASSACRE AT THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND IN SREBRENICA ON APRIL 12, 1993

A conference titled “The Massacre at the School Playground in Srebrenica on April 12, 1993: Facts, Responsibility, and the Culture of Remembrance” was held in Srebrenica on April 12, 2026, organized by the Srebrenica Memorial Center and the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo.

The conference was organized with the aim of preserving the culture of remembrance, documenting facts, and highlighting the long-standing absence of justice for one of the most severe individual crimes committed against civilians during the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Despite the promise made by General Philippe Morillon, commander of UNPROFOR forces, that the United Nations would protect Srebrenica, an artillery attack on the town was carried out on April 12, 1993, by members of the so-called VRS. During the attack, dozens of civilians were killed at a school playground, while many others were wounded. To this day, no one has been held accountable for this crime.

The conference was opened by the Director of the Srebrenica Memorial Center, Dr. Emir Suljagić, and the Director of the Institute, Dr. Muamer Džananović.

Suljagić emphasized the broader significance of this crime, noting that the events of April 12, 1993, largely shaped the subsequent development of the situation in Srebrenica, including decisions by the United Nations Security Council regarding the establishment of so-called safe areas. He stressed that even after more than three decades, there has been no judicial outcome and called on the relevant institutions, particularly the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to approach this case with the necessary seriousness and responsibility.

Džananović highlighted the importance of institutional cooperation between the Memorial Center and the Institute, describing it as an important step toward a more systematic and responsible approach to researching and interpreting war crimes. He also pointed to the broader context in which the crime was committed, including the fall of surrounding enclaves, the arrival of a large number of expelled civilians in Srebrenica, and the fact that the crime occurred immediately before the town was declared a United Nations safe area. He particularly emphasized that the absence of a judicial outcome represents not only a legal issue but also a serious social problem, as it opens space for denial and relativization of the crime.

As part of the program, video testimonies of survivors were presented, followed by two thematic panels.

The first panel was dedicated to testimonies of survivors and family members of the victims. Panel participants included Hasan Hasanović, Ilijaz Pilav, and Hajrudin Mešić, who spoke about the killings of civilians and the long-term consequences of this crime through their personal experiences.

The second panel brought together researchers and experts who analyzed the historical, legal, and social context of the crime. Participants included senior research associates at the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law—Dr. Merisa Karović-Babić, Dr. Amir Kliko, and Dr. Hikmet Karčić—as well as staff members of the Srebrenica Memorial Center, Hasan Hasanović and Edin Ikanović.

It was concluded that it is necessary to continue systematic and interdisciplinary work on documenting facts, strengthening the culture of remembrance, and countering denial and revisionism, in order to ensure that this crime is permanently remembered and adequately valued in both scientific and social contexts. The conference represents part of the ongoing activities of the Srebrenica Memorial Center and the Institute aimed at preserving the truth, advancing scientific research, and building a responsible relationship toward the past.