Dizzy

  • What Happened
    • Survivor Stories
    • History & Analysis
    • External Resources
    • Our Impact: Stories behind the Statistics
  • Our Work
    • About Us
      • The Charity
      • Staff
      • Regional & Country Boards
      • Academic Advisory Board
      • President and Patrons
      • APPG on Srebrenica
      • Contact Us
    • Memorial Events
      • Resources and Registration for Event Organisers
      • Past Memorial Events
        • National
        • Local
    • Education
    • Lessons from Srebrenica
    • Supporting Community Action
    • Latest News
    • Videos
    • Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
  • What You Can Do
    • Resources for Event Organisers
    • Educate
    • We Are One Tournament
    • Build Better Communities
    • Share your Stories
    • Visit Srebrenica
      • Our Visits Programme
      • Bearing Witness
    • Donate
      • Support our work Scotland
      • International Srebrenica Memorial Learning Centre
    • Jobs
  • Our Impact
    • Messages of Support
    • Download Annual Report
    • People Taking Action
    • In The Media
    • Inspiration – Music, Poems and Prayers
    • Memorial Day Reflections
Home Primary News Srebrenica genocide survivor tells his story to students

Srebrenica genocide survivor tells his story to students

A survivor of the Srebrenica genocide has marked the 20th anniversary of the atrocity by telling his story to UK school children.

Hasan Hasanovic at BBC

Bosnian Muslim Hasan Hasanović walked 63 miles across gruelling terrain to escape death at the hands of Bosnian Serbs in July 1995. He spoke to students at four schools across West London – enabling the next generation learn about the genocide at first hand.

Hasan is also calling on people across the UK to bring their communities together with a Srebrenica event in the week leading up to Srebrenica Memorial Day on 11 July at their church, synagogue or mosque – allowing them to talk about the importance of tackling hatred.

Aged 19 at the time, Hasan survived by joining thousands of other Bosnian Muslims who attempted to save their lives by walking across mountains, rivers and minefields to safety in the nearest Muslim territory of Tuzla.

Many never made it. Hasan reached Tuzla after walking for five days and six nights. He lost his father, brother and uncle, but was reunited with his mother, younger brother and grandparents. Many thousands of men and boys were systematically murdered and did not make it.

Hasan is now a curator at Bosnia’s Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery and Memorial Centre. During his visit to London, he recounted his experiences to secondary school students from Hampton School, Reach Academy Feltham, Waldegrave School and Hampton Academy.

Hampton School student James Ingram, aged 17, said:

“Hasan’s story is amazing. Even through the horror of war and tragic events such as the Srebrenica genocide, people like Hasan show that we can adapt and succeed in the face of adversity.”

Reach Academy student Samanvitha Bhiraju, aged 14, said:

“I was shocked when I heard Hasan’s story, because it’s really unfair to treat people differently just because of the way in which they were born. I’m so glad that Hasan came to talk to us. When I’m older I’d like to go round schools and spread the word about what happened at Srebrenica.”

Remembering Srebrenica and Hampton School organised the visit, as part of the school’s Genocide80Twenty project. This was established after a recent survey found that 80% of young people were unable to name any act of genocide since the Holocaust.

Both students also took the opportunity to accompany Hasan to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, where Hasan told his story to presenter John Humphreys, before James and Samanvitha explained their thoughts and feelings after listening to Hasan’s experience.

Speaking in London, Hasan said:

“I’ve been delighted to be able to tell my story to such a receptive and engaged group of young people. Many thanks to Hampton School and Remembering Srebrenica, which is helping people to learn lessons from the past to create a better future.

“As a genocide survivor, I’m asking everyone to bring their communities together with a memorial week event in July at their church, synagogue or mosque. This allows them to talk about the importance of tackling hatred.

“This is important in light of the violence happening across the world. I am a victim of hatred and I hope my story inspires people to join together and create stronger communities.”

Organiser of the visit and history teacher at Hampton School Andy Lawrence explained that, given so many young people were unable to name an act of genocide since the Holocaust, it was crucially important to address this lack of knowledge and inform younger generations about what happened.

Andy said:

“Teaching about genocide is difficult at the best of times, given the complexity of the subject and the enormity of the issue, but one thing is clear. Survivor testimony is far more impactful than teaching from a text book can ever be.

“That is why we are so grateful that Hasan has flown over from Bosnia to share his story with the boys – it is the most effective way for them to learn about the events at Srebrenica and help prevent history repeating itself.”

On 11 July 1995 General Ratko Mladić and his Bosnian Serb forces marched into the town of Srebrenica and systematically murdered 8372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.

Remembering Srebrenica raises awareness of the genocide in the UK. It organises the UK Srebrenica Memorial Week, which leads up to the EU-wide day of remembrance for the victims of the genocide.

Remembering Srebrenica Chairman Dr Waqar Azmi OBE said:

“This year is the 20th anniversary of the genocide that occurred in Srebrenica – the single greatest atrocity committed on European soil since the Second World War and a brutal reminder of man’s inhumanity to man.

“I’m delighted that Hasan’s engagement with these young people is helping them learn lessons from a tragedy that happened before they were born. I hope his story inspires them to take personal actions that help to tackle hatred, build stronger, more cohesive communities and ensure Srebrenica is never forgotten.”

The charity also runs the ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ educational visit programme to learn from the genocide and people’s lives. On return to the UK, delegates pledge to organise projects in their communities to strengthen community cohesion and create a better society.

 

Mar 25, 2015Amil Khan
MAKE A DONATION
Remembering Srebrenica remains committed to honouring the victims and survivors of the genocide.

SUPPORT US
SUPPORT US & PLEDGE
Make a difference, support our charity and all those affected by the tragic Genocide of Srebrenica. Pledge for our cause now.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
Remembering Srebrenica newsletter allows you to keep up to date with latest news, events and how you can support us.

SIGN UP
March 25, 2015 NewsBalkans, Bosnia-Herzegovina, education, genocide, schools, Srebrenica, student, survivor
Jonas pledges to keep Srebrenica flame burning brightThe 8-3-7-2 Tournament: schools’ chance to Remember Srebrenica
  You Might Also Like  
 
From Wales to West Yorkshire – flagging Srebrenica’s story
 
Una Srabović-Ryan
 
Srebrenica Survivors Tour Bedfordshire
 Search 

Remembering SrebrenicaFollow

Remembering Srebrenica
SrebrenicaUKRemembering Srebrenica@SrebrenicaUK·
4h

The first casualties of the brutal Siege of Sarajevo were to be Suada Dilberović, a young medical student, and Olga Sučić, a young mother of two. The two Bosnian women were bravely protesting the war and were killed by Serbian forces. We Remember. #InternationalWomensDay

1972Twitter
Remembering Srebrenica Retweeted
REFCardiffVGRace Equality First@REFCardiffVG·
9h

.#InternationalWomensDay #Bosnia https://t.co/EYAg2fdNHi

3Twitter
SrebrenicaUKRemembering Srebrenica@SrebrenicaUK·
7h

This #IWD2021 we honour the late Hatidža Mehmedović, a fierce warrior for human rights & genocide remembrance. A woman, who despite losing so much of her family continued to showcase her strength & her refusal to succumb to hatred and instead focus on righteousness. We remember.

2370Twitter
Remembering Srebrenica Retweeted
emma_mawbyemma mawby@emma_mawby·
11h

This #InternationalWomensDay we honour the rape survivors, the mothers, and all those women who #ChooseToChallenge the genocide deniers.

#WeRemember https://t.co/iKGI83Nb73

32Twitter
Remembering Srebrenica Retweeted
AdaSostaricAda Šoštarić@AdaSostaric·
8h

"Despite the pain and the trauma of her horrific experiences, Fadila returned to Srebrenica and set up a business selling flowers: 'I started realising that I must go on.'" https://t.co/RRjEYnCTkV

316Twitter
Load More...
 The charity 
A Project of Ummah Help. Registered charity no. 1142686. Registered company no. 7369796. Click here to find out more.
 Latest news 
Remembering Srebrenica’s 2021 Theme: Rebuilding Lives
February 4, 2021

Every year, Remembering Srebrenica selects a theme that reflects an aspect of the genocide that must be commemorated, but also speaks to communities here in the UK.  The theme for 2021 is ‘Rebuilding Lives’.  In albeit very different ways the Covid pandemic has brought loss and difficulties to millions, shattering individuals and communities, who are […]

Hatidža Mehmedović – A mother’s legacy
November 26, 2020

Hatidža Mehmedović was born in the area surrounding Srebrenica in 1952. Before the genocide, she lived her entire life in Srebrenica, where she had married her childhood friend, Abdullah, and had two sons, Azmir and Almir. Hatidža and Abdullah built their home in Srebrenica and lived a simple life as a family before the war […]

“Untold Killing”: first serialised podcast about the genocide in Bosnia launched
October 22, 2020

London, United Kingdom — This past July marked 25 years since the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, often referred to as the worst atrocity on Europe’s soil since the Holocaust. The story of Srebrenica, a small town in Bosnia, remains a dark stain on Europe’s history and yet the full details remain unknown to many.  […]

 Remembering Srebrenica 

What happened
Survivor Stories
Memorial Day
Vistiting Srebrenica

 Site Links 

Homepage
Get Involved
Resources
News
Messages of support
About us
Get in contact
Sitemap

GET IN CONTACT

If you want to get involved with Remembering Srebrenica, or find out how you can help then please get in contact

SEND US AN EMAIL


2019 © Remembering Srebrenica. Privacy Policy
Website developed by Spyre Media