Thirty years ago, on 11 July 1995, at least 8,372 men were murdered by troops under Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic, in the Muslim enclave of Srebrenica, in Bosnia. Between 40,000 and 60,000 people had taken refuge in an area controlled by UN blue helmets, who had committed to protecting the population. The victims, overwhelmingly Muslim, were men between the ages of 13 and 75. This was an operation of “ethnic cleansing”, aimed at building a Christian Orthodox Great Serbia, at the expense of the Bosniak and Bosnian Croatian population.
The massacre at Srebrenica was the most serious in Europe since World War II. The International Criminal Court convicted seven of its perpetrators for genocide. But this episode continues to divide the region, with the Serbs dismissing it as a terrible crime, while Bosniaks call for justice for those who were killed. Catholic priest Fr Dražen Kustura, a journalist and spokesman for the Archdiocese of Sarajevo, spoke to Aid to the Church in Need about the difficult task the Catholic Church faces in trying to heal the wounds in his country.
What does this anniversary mean to you?
It is a reminder of how powerful evil can be. It reminds us of crimes in the recent past, which nobody with solid moral principles can be proud of. But in the same way that these anniversaries bring up the past, they are also an opportunity for justice and to condemn the crimes, while at the same time working towards reconciliation.
How does today’s society feel about the wounds left by that tragedy?
Unfortunately, there is still not a general idea that all crimes, regardless of who committed them, should be condemned; that all victims have the same value, and that the pain of their mothers is equally deep. Therefore, rather than an opportunity for personal and collective atonement, these anniversaries of the Srebrenica genocide have become a focus for new division, and for reopening wounds from the past, making it even more difficult to achieve reconciliation and forgiveness.
How is the Church preparing to commemorate this 30th anniversary?
The Catholic Church has always taken part in the commemorations of the genocide at Srebrenica, expressing sorrow and respect for the victims, but also for the surviving families, because it wants to fulfil its mission of reconciliation and national renewal.
Will there be any special initiative or moment of prayer with Muslims and Orthodox?
I am unaware of any initiative besides the common meetings between representatives from the Catholic Church and the Muslim community. At this time, it is almost impossible to expect a joint activity that would include the Orthodox. The Serbian Orthodox Church, like the Serbian political class, recognises that this was a terrible crime, but openly denies that it was an act of genocide. As long as they maintain this position, it will be difficult to have any joint initiatives.
What role does the Catholic Church play in the reconciliation process?
We believe that dialogue is the only morally acceptable way of solving disagreements. The bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina have always maintained this principle, and never refused to meet with any religious leader. The Church has followed this path since the war, always warning against the consequences of an unjust peace, which would legitimise the ethnic cleansing.
Can you give an example of a concrete initiative?
There is the “Walking together” project, promoted by the John Paul II Youth Pastoral Centre, which has been gathering young people from the three main religious denominations for over a decade. Through educational, sports and other activities, they try to overcome divisions, and encourage the young people to build bridges.
Is forgiveness and reconciliation possible?
The mere fact that the factions which fought each other in the past have been living in relative peace for thirty years, that they talk to each other, travel around the country and meet, is a sign that reconciliation is possible. However, we should not neglect the need for justice, which is to say, that each individual should answer for the crimes he has committed.
What can we learn from the Srebrenica genocide today?
These major tragedies can also become a lesson for the future, so that new generations do not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. Srebrenica is a reminder of how much pain human beings can inflict upon each other when they are full of hate. Nonetheless, the current situation in the world and the ongoing wars show that it is possible to learn from the mistakes of the past. As much as Srebrenica is a place of hatred and suffering, it can also become a place of reconciliation and conversion. A clear message can radiate from here: that nothing good ever comes from war and crime, and that instead it is worth fighting for peace and mutual respect, in diversity and justice.
By Xabier Burgos.
