Amra Hrustić-Šabanović, a math teacher in a Sarajevo school, together with her son Husejn, breaks down prejudices about people with Down syndrome on a daily basis, with the message that with a little more empathy and understanding, the world can be a much nicer place. On their Instagram profile down_i_mi, you can find the unconditional support that Husejn and his mom share with the public every day.
Roma villages have existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since the 19th century, and today, this population constitutes the largest minority in the country. Nevertheless, they are among the most marginalized, disenfranchised, and discriminated against communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are tirelessly seeking basic human rights.
On July 11th, 2023, thousands of mourners arrived at the Srebrenica Memorial Center in Potočari to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. This ever-expanding cemetery serves as a final resting place for many of the approximately 8,000 Bosniak men and boys who were killed in the civilian massacres of 1995. Although nearly three decades have passed since the genocide, 30 victims were buried this year, the youngest of whom was a 15-year-old boy. Additionally, the year witnessed 71 re-associations, referring to the burial of newly found remains of victims who have already been identified and partially interred.
It has been more than thirty years since war erupted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, yet the quest for justice remains a central concern for most survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. This is primarily fueled by the absence of a transitional justice strategy and the impunity of war criminals.
The Tuzla Canton Women with Disabilities Forum was established within the framework of the “Here I am - Visible and Proud” project. Working with women with disabilities, it aims to bolster their self-confidence, familiarize them with the experiences of victims of violence, and advocate for their reproductive health, right to education, and similar issues. Some of these initiatives are carried out through performances, such as “Silences,” which was based on the personal stories of women with disabilities.
Participants of the "State of Peace" Youth Academy, organized by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the Post-Conflict Research Center, discussed the lessons and the legacy of the Holocaust in the region, and how these lessons can be used to prevent conflict and strengthen the reconciliation process.