Parents' Decade-Long Struggle to Memorialize 102 Children Killed in Prijedor

For the past decade, parents of 102 children killed in Prijedor during the 1992 Bosnian War have been striving to build a memorial to honor their lost children and educate future generations about the atrocities committed. Despite their persistent efforts, local authorities have consistently refused to permit the construction of the memorial.

The Bosnian War, which began in 1992, was marked by widespread violence and human rights abuses. Prijedor, a town in Bosnia, witnessed significant brutality, with over 30,000 non-Serbs being illegally detained in camps established by the civil and military authorities of Republika Srpska. These camps, including Omarska, Trnopolje, and Keraterm, became synonymous with terror, torture, and death.

The refusal to allow the memorial's construction hinders reconciliation and remembrance, perpetuating a cycle of violence and human rights abuses. If left unchecked, it can lead to further erosion of trust and social cohesion, potentially threatening regional stability.

May 31st is observed as White Armband Day in Prijedor to commemorate the non-Serb civilians killed during the war. In 1992, the crisis staff of Prijedor, led by the Serbian Democratic Party, ordered non-Serb residents to display white cloth on their homes and wear white armbands in public, marking the beginning of a campaign of terror. This resulted in the deaths of 3,176 people, including 102 children.

Denis Becirovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized the importance of remembering these tragic events. *"The Day of White Armbands, observed annually on May 31st, is a powerful tribute to the mass killing of innocent civilians in Prijedor and Kozarac. Our duty, that of future generations, is to never forget the 3,176 brutally murdered Prijedor residents. Among them were 102 children. They were killed solely because of their names during the aggression on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,"* he stated.

Despite the clear need for remembrance, the city authorities in Prijedor have repeatedly denied permission for the memorial. This refusal is seen by many as an attempt to erase the memory of the victims and hinder reconciliation efforts. On the eve of White Armband Day, the city marks the "Day of Defense of the City," celebrating the "defense of Prijedor from attacks by Muslims and Croats."

The ongoing struggle to build a memorial is not just about honoring the past but also about educating the youth and preventing such atrocities from happening again. *"It is our duty to support the families of the victims, who still believe that justice will reach at least some of the perpetrators. By achieving justice, spreading the truth, and cultivating a culture of remembrance, we can prevent such evil in the future and accelerate the reconciliation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region,"* Becirovic added.

To date, 56 verdicts have been issued for crimes committed in the Prijedor municipality, and more than 400 mass graves have been discovered, including Tomašica, the largest mass grave in the Balkans, found in 2013. Yet, the parents of the 102 children continue their fight for a memorial, hoping one day to see their efforts realized.

The refusal to allow the memorial's construction is a significant hindrance to reconciliation and remembrance. The struggle continues, and the parents and supporters remain determined to ensure that the memories of the 102 children are not forgotten.

Key Takeaways

• 102 children killed in Prijedor during the 1992 Bosnian War.
• Parents seeking to build a memorial, but local authorities refuse.
• Refusal hinders reconciliation and remembrance, threatening regional stability.
• May 31st is White Armband Day, commemorating non-Serb civilians killed.
• 56 verdicts issued, 400+ mass graves found, but memorial still denied.