Anniversary Marks the 1993 Massacre of Civilians in Stupni Do

The 33rd anniversary of the war crimes in Stupni Do near Vareš is being observed on October 23. Commemoration activities include the Trasa spasa peace march, visits to local cemeteries, and flower laying at the memorial fountain. On October 23, 1993, members of the Croatian Defence Council killed 38 Bosniak villagers. Among the victims were five children, some as young as two years old. Soldiers also burned down about 70 homes, tortured residents, and looted properties. HVO forces blocked United Nations peacekeepers from entering the village for several days.

International and local courts have sentenced several perpetrators for the massacre. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentenced HVO commander Ivica Rajić to 12 years in prison. The same court sentenced Jadranko Prlić and five other officials to 111 years in total. Domestic courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina sentenced former soldiers Miroslav Anić, Dominik Ilijašević, and Ermin Ćurtić to prison terms for their involvement.

Victims' families stress that young people must remember this tragedy so it never happens again. Mustafa Kamenjaš, a relative of victims, noted that several local leaders and participants have still not faced justice. The State Prosecutor's Office confirmed that an active investigation into these crimes continues. Despite the past suffering, residents of Stupni Do now maintain good relations with their Croat neighbors and focus on a shared future.