The Persistence of National Victimhood: Bosniak Post-War Memory Politics of the Srebrenica Mass Killings

Rawski, Tomasz

doi:10.11649/sn.2503

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

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“…There is some variation to this pattern, for example, in the early 2000s, when Bosniak political leaders expressed a more universalist perspective on war memory in response to expectations from the international community. Yet, these rhetorical changes were not really reflected in media discourses and, despite international pressure, the nationalists in BiH have never really lost their monopoly over memory political discourses (Rawski, 2021: 7–8, 18). Indeed, according to Lea David (2020: 114), whenever the US or EU-led international community has pushed for moralizing victim-centred memorialization practices, this has led to counter-effects and the strengthening of historical revisionism from the nationalist governments in the region.…”

Section: The Memory Conflict In Bosnian Politicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory conflicts and memory grey zones: War memory in Bosnia–Herzegovina between public memory disputes, literary narratives and personal experience

Andersen

Borčak

2022

Memory Studies

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In Bosnia and Herzegovina, memories of the 1990s war remain hugely divided on political and institutional levels, constituting what we may think of as a mnemonic war. Interview-based qualitative research shows that people in Bosnia on the individual level tend to follow the dominant narrative of their own group, yet, when challenged on these viewpoints, may also admit that other narratives and different truths may exist. Indeed, this research seems to propose the existence of a memorial grey zone where more open understanding and recognition of other positions is possible. Thus, while memory politics and memory institutionalization are rigidly opposed, other types of memory mediation may challenge the ethnic divisions of the memory landscape, opening up a memorial grey zone. In this article, we study the individual reception of literary works written by Bosnian émigré writers, asking how readers interact with established yet fluid memory discourses in Bosnia. Using focus groups as an interviewing method, we explore how the texts are perceived and discussed by lay readers in the two political entities, the Bosniak–Croat Federation and Republika Srpska. We are particularly interested in how readers make sense of the memory accounts in the texts, and how this relates to personal experiences and official memory narratives within each of the two entities. We argue that the reading and discussions of literary war memories allow for complex negotiations between personal and official ‘group’ narratives, opening a memorial grey zone that transcends the sharp divisions dominating memory politics in Bosnia and creates space for alternative memory positions.

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Section: The Memory Conflict In Bosnian Politicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Memory conflicts and memory grey zones: War memory in Bosnia–Herzegovina between public memory disputes, literary narratives and personal experience

Andersen

Borčak

2022

Memory Studies

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Ethnic Tensions and Global Response: Disentangling the Complexities of the Bosnian War

IGDIR AKARAS

2024

Lectio Socialis

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This article examines the ethnic conflicts that engulfed post-Cold War Yugoslavia, with a focus on the pivotal Bosnian War and its interaction with international law. It delves into the historical and socio-political factors that fueled ethnic tensions in Yugoslavia after the Cold War, exploring how resurgent nationalism triggered ethnic separatism and violence. The Bosnian War, marked by declarations of independence, manipulative leadership, and a devastating civil conflict, serves as a grim case study of ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Srebrenica massacre, in particular, underscores the extent of the tragedy. Despite media attention, international responses to the conflict faced significant delays, raising questions about the effectiveness of the UN Peacekeeping Forces. The Dayton Peace Agreement, while bringing temporary relief, reveals shortcomings, including an ethnocentric governance structure that remains a challenge. The article also examines the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, which was tasked with holding individuals accountable for war crimes. This tribunal's creation underscores the enduring importance of international law in addressing heinous crimes. In conclusion, this article provides historical context and highlights crucial lessons for international law and the timely intervention needed to prevent such catastrophes.

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The Persistence of National Victimhood: Bosniak Post-War Memory Politics of the Srebrenica Mass Killings

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Memory conflicts and memory grey zones: War memory in Bosnia–Herzegovina between public memory disputes, literary narratives and personal experience

Memory conflicts and memory grey zones: War memory in Bosnia–Herzegovina between public memory disputes, literary narratives and personal experience

Ethnic Tensions and Global Response: Disentangling the Complexities of the Bosnian War

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