Thoughts on the Srebrenica Massacre in Bosnia
17 November 2008 at 08:30 milena08 9 comments
In 2004, the International Criminal Tribunal ruled unanimously that the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia in 1995 was genocide.
I visited Srebrenica last week. I put together a video with a little history, photographs, and an interview with a Kiva Borrower whose husband was killed in the war and whose life has never fully recovered. I hate to sound cliche, but the entire experience broke my heart.
Entry filed under: Bosnia and Herzegovina, KF6 (Kiva Fellows 6th Class), Zene za Zene International (Women for Women). Tags: Bosnia and Herzegovina, genocide, Milena Arciszewski.
1. Julia | 29 March 2010 at 07:38
As much as I apprecitate the stories from the field I do not think it is a good idea to show subtitles that do not match exactly what the lady is saying. In the end it says “translations condensed from a 12 minute interview” but I am sure many people will have noticed by then that the lady never says the names of the places or the date, or that the sentence is just too short to be what the subtitle suggests. You do not need to speak that language to see Ella´s point.
But please post more of this organisation. It is good to know that there are people out there who support widows like her. I understand her fear that if her brother suddenly died she might as well (no matter how healthy she might appear) and leave her little sons in a hostile environment. Sitting at home I need people who go there to post information that makes me aware.
2. Ella | 31 January 2010 at 23:59
I happened to speak the same language, so I can tell that translation on killing of her husband and Massacre done by Serbs are completely inaccurate. Lady from this clip NEVER mentioned her husband being killed, during whole interview. She said her brother died by natural causes (miocardial infraction) and that she is in pain because of that. She is in bad situation, since in war torn country no one ever offered help to her and her 3 kids. The reporter intentionaly showed socalled “camps” where the victims are held, and made up story about Serbs with knives waiting for running people and killing them. Nermina just NEVER mentioned on clip, anything like that. It looks more like promotional material for Islamic Holy War and hater for Serbian Christianas than fair reporting from the field. I wanted to join the cause till I didn’t see this. Reporter claims to be from Bulgaria and she speaks perfectly accentuated Bosnian (Serbo-Croatian) Language. Who lies to whom?
3. Daniel | 22 November 2008 at 05:42
Thank you for visiting Srebrenica and learning about Srebrenica genocide. Would you please be so kind to contact me and tell me more? My e-mail is included. Thank you so much.
Daniel
Editor of Srebrenica Genocide Blog
4. Lilybelle | 21 November 2008 at 04:45
It is incomprehensible to me how humans can treat each other in that way. You are doing a great job of showing us who we can help through microloans. Thank you for doing what you’re doing.
5. CherylS | 21 November 2008 at 01:52
Heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing.
6. jdatkiva | 20 November 2008 at 02:42
Milena–
Thanks for sharing this experience so honestly and gently. You help us all understand better the realities that others live in.
We’re thinking of you and Nermina.
JD
7. Daniel | 17 November 2008 at 15:50
There must be boundless depth to her emotion. I am sure that making this video must have deeply affected yours. Great job capturing the how Kiva and zZz can help.
8. Cassie DeFillipo | 17 November 2008 at 14:16
Beautiful. Sad and beautiful–your video was amazing and thank you so much for sharing that. My heart is broken too.
9. kieranball | 17 November 2008 at 10:22
I can see why it broke your heart. It’s shocking what so-called humans are capable of. I can’t understand it.
Another well-produced video, keep it up.