Bosnian rape survivors continue fight for justice decades after war
- Thousands of women experienced rape and sexual violence during the Bosnian war from 1992 to 1995.
- Tursunovic and Suljevic shared their stories of trauma, highlighting how survivors have struggled for basic rights and recognition.
- Even decades later, no one has been held accountable for these crimes, emphasizing the ongoing fight for justice.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, thousands of women suffered unimaginable trauma during the 1992-1995 war, particularly due to sexual violence. Tursunovic was raped at the Caparde concentration camp at the young age of 18, and Suljevic experienced a similar fate when she was raped by a soldier. Despite having reported these crimes, Tursunovic was informed that the soldier had died during the war, which left her feeling powerless. Both women exemplify the broader issue of women who were affected, denouncing the continuing injustices faced by survivors. Even decades later, the absence of justice for these crimes highlights the inadequate response by authorities. The atrocities led to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia recognizing sexual slavery as a crime against humanity, underscoring the global acknowledgment of these crimes. Furthermore, the establishment of June 19 as International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict serves as a reminder of the plight of these women. However, the current situation shows that many of the alleged perpetrators of such crimes remain free. In contrast, some progress is noted in the context of the current conflict in Ukraine, which illustrates a shift towards holding perpetrators accountable more quickly in ongoing conflicts. This shift indicates a possible cultural change regarding the prosecution of sexual violence, even as survivors from Bosnia continue to advocate for their rights and seek justice for their suffering.