Montenegro has yet to confront its past, and it is essential for our society to create a culture of remembrance rooted in justice, truth, and reconciliation, as stated by the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro, through its spokesperson Emina Skenderović.

Today marks 32 years since the tragic abduction of civilians in Štrpci.

“We gather today to honor the victims of the atrocities that occurred in Štrpci—one of the darkest moments in our recent past. Over three decades later, the grief remains, and the void left by those who perished continues to linger. Their only ‘offense’ was their identity. Nothing more, nothing less. Tragically, Montenegro has not confronted its history. The critical process of addressing war crimes, fundamental for societal healing, has yet to truly take root here. It is disheartening to see that today’s political leaders lean towards sidelining these discussions more than ever. We often hear that these are ‘divisive topics,’ as if ignoring them could somehow erase the suffering and injustice. Some may do so out of malice, while others may act out of ignorance,” she articulated.

She noted that the outcome is the same—crimes remain unaddressed, and victims face the threat of being forgotten.

“That is why today, in front of the Council of the Muslim People of Montenegro, we emphasize the importance of remembering victims as innocent individuals—our neighbors, friends, godparents, and family. Our society frequently succumbs to the temptation to interpret past events through the lens of nationality and identity. While acknowledging and understanding these contexts is vital, it is crucial that we do not allow them to fracture our unity and distance us from our shared humanity. The crime in Štrpci was not merely an assault on individuals but an attack on unity, peace, and coexistence. The suffering experienced was not a matter of nationality but a matter of being human,” Skenderović expressed.

She further stated that the victims of the Štrpci crimes are not just statistics or names on a list; they do not belong to a single community.

“They belong to all of us—to our collective memory, responsibility, and humanity. It is our duty to ensure their suffering is not manipulated for political gain but serves as a reminder of the depths of evil that can emerge when hatred triumphs over reason. As a society, we need to cultivate a culture of remembrance founded on justice, truth, and reconciliation. This entails safeguarding the victims from becoming pawns in political or nationalistic agendas. We must honor them as individuals who suffered unjustly and remember them as symbols of the horrors we must strive to prevent from recurring,” the statement concludes.

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