November 18, 1991 – November 18, 2016
On November 18th 2016, Women in Black will organize a peaceful action for Vukovar – the Killing of a City, at Republic Square in Belgrade, from 18:00 – 19:00. On November 19th, activists from Women in Black will visit Vukovar to commemorate the crimes.
On the 25th anniversary of the fall of Vukovar, we are reminding the public that on August 25th 1991, the JNA (Yugoslavian National Army) attacked Vukovar from the air, from the ground, and from the Danube River, as part of the “hell of Vukovar” which began on September 19th 1991. At this time, people in Belgrade threw flowers before the tanks, and escorted the First Guards of the Armoured Division of the JNA in Vukovar to their destructive spree. This was one of the most shameful events in the history of Belgrade, and is covered by a vow of silence and denial!
In 1991, Vukovar was under siege of the JNA and Serbian paramilitary formations for 87 days. During the siege of Vukovar, war crimes, Urbicide, and culturicide were committed – this all destroyed the historic core of the city; Vukovar became a symbol of barbaric destruction of cities in the war… Over 1000 civilians were killed, over 25 000 people were wounded, while thousands of sick and wounded prisoners passed through camps in Serbia. For the crimes of Urbicide, for the establishment of camps, for the killing and torturing of Croatian prisoners in Serbia, there has still not been a response from the state, indicating their continued impunity.
This year we addressed the relevant institutions (Zrenjanin municipalities where the camps were located) by requesting the establishment of a memorial plaque in the places of suffering that took place in Stajićevo and in Begejci. This would be a contribution to the reconstruction of trust and the truth and reconciliation process, as well as a mark of respect for the dignity of the victims of the camps and their families. Our requests were denied, indicating a lack of political will and moral responsibility regarding the crimes committed in our names.
Women in Black, alongside the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, will continue to advocate for a just and appropriate punishment of all perpetrators of war crimes committed by the Serbian Armed Forces before the courts of the Republic of Serbia. The truth about the crimes committed in the war of the 1990s cannot be buried with the victims; their instigators, organizers, and perpetrators cannot avoid their moral, political, and criminal responsibility in these crimes. This is a precondition for a just peace, and for regional stability.
Belgrade, November 17th 2016
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia & Women in Black
