Thousands Join Peace March to Commemorate Srebrenica Victims

Photo: BIRN

BIRN's reporter followed the participants all the way along the route of this year's Peace March, and posted regular updates, photos, videos and other content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as the march progressed.

Photo: BIRN

Since 2004, thousands of people have joined the Peace March each year from Nezuk to Potocari near Srebrenica, where the annual commemoration of the genocide is held.

Photo: BIRN

Thousands lost their lives trying to flee the Bosniak enclave in 1995, and survivors now lead the annual marches to honour those who were killed in 1995.

Photo: BIRN

"Every meter of this path is covered with the blood of Bosniaks from Podrinje, so I kindly ask you to behave in accordance with that. During your walk, you will pass next to mass graves, you will hear history classes. Walk with dignity and good luck," Hamdija Fejzic, from the organisational committee of the Peace March, told BIRN on Friday.

Photo: BIRN

The number of participants grew each day as the march moved towards Srebrenica.

Photo: BIRN

During the three-day journey, participants had a chance to meet survivors of the 1995 genocide and see places where people were held captive, where short history classes were held, and they heard stories of those who survived the 1995 "death march".

Photo: BIRN

According to the Missing Persons Institute, three minors were to be among those buried at this year's anniversary. The youngest is Salim Mustafic, who was 16 when he was killed, while Vahid Smajlovic and Elvir Muminovic were 17.

Photo: BIRN

So far the remains of 6,671 people have been buried at the Srebrenica Potocari Centre. Monday's burials...