The search is still on for 1,812 people who disappeared during the Croatian War of Independence (1991~1995). These are their stories. | Još uvijek se traga za posmrtnim ostacima 1812 osoba ubijenih tijekom Domovinskog rata (1991.~1995.). Ovo su njihove priče.
The Croatian War of Independence (1991~1995) resulted in a tragic loss of life, with countless individuals falling victim to the violence and atrocities of the conflict. The people killed during this period encompassed soldiers, civilians, and innocent individuals caught in the crossfire. As of July 2023, the remains of 1812 persons are still missing.
Soldiers made tremendous sacrifices, with many losing their lives in battles and military operations. These individuals fought bravely and selflessly, driven by a sense of duty and a desire to defend their homeland. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for Croatia's eventual victory and independence.
Civilians, unfortunately, bore the brunt of the violence. They were subjected to indiscriminate shelling, sniper attacks, and deliberate targeting based on their ethnicity. Innocent men, women, and children lost their lives, often in their own homes or as they sought safety in shelters. The loss of civilian life represented a tragic consequence of the war's brutality and the disregard for human rights.
Furthermore, the Croatian War of Independence witnessed mass killings and ethnic cleansing campaigns. Innocent individuals were targeted solely based on their ethnicity, leading to large-scale loss of life and the displacement of entire communities. These atrocities were fueled by hatred and a desire to forcibly change the demographics of certain regions, leaving a deep scar on the nation's collective memory.
The individuals killed during the Croatian War of Independence were not mere statistics but individuals with dreams, aspirations, and loved ones left behind. Their loss created a void in families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Remembering and honoring their memory is crucial to acknowledging the human cost of war and promoting a society that values peace, justice, and reconciliation.
THE MISSING
NESTALI.24sata.hr is a website launched in 2018 by 24sata (lit. ’24hours’), a daily newspaper published in Zagreb, Croatia. As of 2007, it is the highest-circulation daily newspaper in Croatia. It is also most visited news website in Croatia and leading news source on social media platforms. The website showcases the search of missing persons from the Croatian War of Independence.
Source: NESTALI.24sata.hr
SEARCHING FOR MISSING PERSONS
Most of the 1,812 unsolved cases of missing and dead persons in the Croatian War of Independence for which the place of burial is unknown are persons from the area of Vukovar-Srijem County – 525 of them, of which 386 are missing and forcibly taken from the area of the city of Vukovar and suburban settlements. Extensive works were carried out from August 2019 to August 2020 at the location “Priljevo” to a depth of approximately 11 m, however, the remains of the victims who disappeared from the area of Vukovar were not found.
Photograph/Source: Ministry of Croatian Veterans.
https://hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-model-trazenja-nestalih-osoba/
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISAPPEARED – August 30
On August 30, the Day of Remembrance of Persons Who Disappeared in the Croatian War of Independence is commemorated. As of July 2023, the remains of 1812 persons are still missing.
Source: Croatian Red Cross
https://mup.gov.hr/policijske-uprave/medjunarodni-dan-nestalih-osoba-243170/239410