A panel discussion dedicated to the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its lasting consequences in Europe was held at the Vienna Academy of Education.
This event brought together experts, survivors, researchers and journalists, and drew on the recently published book Torture, Humiliate, Kill: Inside the Bosnian Serb Camp System by Dr. Hikmet Karčić, published by the University of Michigan Press in 2022.
The discussion highlighted the importance of remembering the genocide, warned of the danger of denial, and emphasized the key role of education in countering extreme right-wing narratives.
dr. Hikmet Karčić, research associate at the Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo, presented his book Torture, Humiliate, Kill: Inside the Bosnian Serb Camp System, which exposes the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the camp system.
He spoke about the deep consequences of the genocide and warned about the worrying connections between Serbian nationalists and the European right.
He expressed concern over the growing trend of genocide denial and appealed to the community to face the past through truth and education.
Selma Jahić, a survivor of the genocide in Srebrenica, emotionally testified about the horrors and torture that people had to go through during the aggression in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her words were a call for lasting memory and the fight for truth and justice.
Melina Borčak, a journalist with many years of experience, emphasized the importance of education in the fight against extreme right-wing narratives and warned of the media's responsibility in shaping public opinion.
Dennis Miskić, a journalist and young political scientist, highlighted the deep wounds that many survivors still feel. He especially emphasized their continuous search for the bodies of their murdered family members as a symbol of their permanent pain. Furthermore, Miskić spoke about his work at the Srebrenica Memorial Center and also emphasized the problem of genocide denial and the glorification of war crimes in the diaspora.
The discussion also considered the label "Bosnian Genocide" and the importance of recognizing wider genocidal activities in the country.
The panelists emphasized that the professional community has a key role in defining historical facts based on solid evidence and research.
This event is part of the BÖJ project, which was hosted by dr. Hikmet Karčić in Austria for lectures and workshops on right-wing extremism and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Austrian Student Union "ÖH" at the University of Vienna.