The Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Croatia and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights – Bosnia and Herzegovina, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized a study trip to Ahmići and Trusina from April 11 to 13, 2025. The trip took place on the weekend preceding the joint commemoration of the crimes committed on April 16, 1993. For the youth from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, this trip was an opportunity to commemorate and learn about a difficult chapter in the history of their countries. A similar trip was organized two years earlier on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of these two crimes.
Introductory Workshop
Ten activists from three different countries gathered on Friday morning for an introductory workshop in Sarajevo, focusing on the crimes committed in Ahmići and Trusina. After a brief presentation providing context and evidence-based information about these events, participants reviewed historical footage and listened to recorded testimonies gathered by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The workshop also provided an opportunity for activists to share their thoughts and discuss how to approach and cope with these difficult topics and the processing of emotions which would arise during the visits.
Visiting Trusina
On Friday, April 11, the group visited Trusina, where on April 16, 1993, members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH) killed 22 Croats, including 15 civilians and seven captured soldiers of the Croatian Defense Council (HVO). Four civilians were also wounded, two of whom were children.
The participants laid flowers and held a minute of silence at the memorial site for the victims, alongside Cecilija Anđelić, who shared her testimony about the events in Trusina.
In her speech, she emphasized the importance of remembrance and responsible dealing with the past to prevent such crimes and violence from happening again. She also reminded us to approach everyone with understanding and tolerance, not to hate anyone and to forgive but never to forget. Cecilija also joined the group on a walk through the village, which still shows signs of war destruction and was further and significantly affected by floods in October 2024.