Khojaly and Srebrenica: Two tragedies, one shared legacy of suffering ANEWZ TV documentary

ANEWZ TV has released a documentary titled "Buried Stories: Khojaly & Srebrenica", which explores the deep scars left by two of the most brutal massacres of the 1990s: Khojaly in Azerbaijan and Srebrenica in Bosnia. By comparing these two tragedies, the documentary emphasizes the shared human suffering and the universal horror of war crimes, especially the systematic targeting of civilians.

The documentary is structured around personal testimonies that depict the brutal realities faced by those who lived through these events. It underscores the trauma and loss suffered by families who were caught in the crossfire of conflicts involving larger geopolitical struggles—the collapse of the Soviet Union and the breakup of Yugoslavia. The parallel drawn between the two massacres, separated by three years, highlights the uncanny similarities in the manner in which both atrocities unfolded: civilians fleeing, the brutal treatment of women, children, and the elderly, and the subsequent erasure of their histories from public discourse.

In Khojaly, as the residents fled the violence, many were shot or taken hostage by Armenian forces. The documentary portrays the horrendous suffering that ensued, with survivors describing the freezing conditions, the physical abuse, and the loss of family members. The tragedy is underscored by the harrowing scenes of bodies left in snow, the continuing search for missing persons, and the long-term impact on survivors who carry both physical and psychological scars.

Similarly, in Srebrenica, the documentary highlights the betrayal of civilians who sought refuge under the United Nations' protection, only to be massacred by Bosnian Serb forces. Personal stories of mothers torn from their children, the massacre of men, and the subsequent search for their remains in mass graves emphasize the depth of hatred and brutality involved. The documentary also touches on the systematic rape and violence used as tools of ethnic cleansing, illustrating the horrors inflicted on a community that once lived in relative peace.

The documentary contrasts the aftermaths of the two massacres. While those responsible for the Srebrenica massacre were largely prosecuted through the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the perpetrators of the Khojaly massacre remain largely unpunished. This distinction serves as a poignant critique of the international community’s selective justice and its failure to hold all war criminals accountable.

Ultimately, "Buried Stories: Khojaly & Srebrenica" serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of historical memory, justice, and the prevention of future genocides. It draws attention to the unheeded cries of victims whose stories were ignored for too long, urging a collective responsibility to acknowledge these tragedies and ensure such horrors are never repeated. The documentary's call for recognition, accountability, and reconciliation is a powerful plea for the world to confront its past and prevent further cycles of violence.

By Vugar Khalilov