SREBRENICA WOMEN RAPED, TAKEN OFF BUS

Here is a short account of rape by Himzo Muratovic, Bosnian Genocide survivor who defended the column of civilians from Serb attacks after the fall of Srebrenica in July 1995:

"Along with the groups who went through the hills there were girls, and older people, because the girls didn't dare go in the buses," said Himzo Muratovic, 29, who had been in the fighting column. "I was a witness when five girls were taken off our bus," said Hasib Jubovic, 63. "They took their clothes off them immediately. And then, well, you know ...."

Dividing the population in two, between men who could fight and those perceived to be too old, between little girls and young women, was never going to be simple.

"The UN called in the population," said Hasib. "People not capable of fighting: women, girls, older men. They called them together in the factory at Potocari" - near the base of the Dutch UN peacekeepers. "Of course, there were a certain number of people of military age. Unprofor, the UN protection force - so-called - instead of protecting them, left them to the Serbs. The Serbs gave us an ultimatum, and the UN gathered us in Potocari. When the deadline came, the Serbs came and shook hands. Nobody from the UN resisted." (Source: The Independent, 21 July 1995)

For more on rape in Srebrenica, read:

1. Can Genocide be Committed by Forcibly Expelling Women and Children and Killing Men and Boys?

2. Ratko Mladic ordered Serb troops to rape women and slaughter men and boys in Srebrenica.

3. Srebrenica Testimonies: Girls Raped, Babies Killed, Elderly Abused.

4. Women Brutally Raped by Serbs in Foca, eastern Bosnia.