Accountability of those responsible for protecting Murino’s citizens still unresolved
Remembering Murino obliges us to nurture a culture of remembrance. It is the only way to safeguard the memory of the victims from abuse and manipulation, especially by those political forces that have never been held accountable for pushing Montenegro and its citizens into the senseless wars of the 1990s, the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) said
The issue of responsibility of those who were obliged to protect the citizens of Murino remains unresolved, the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) stated, marking one of the most tragic events in Montenegro’s recent history, when NATO bombed the small town of Murino 27 years ago.
Six civilians were killed in the attack: Julija Brudar (11), Olivera Maksimović (13), Miroslav Knežević (14), Vukić Vuletić (46), Milka Kočanović (69), and Manojlo Komatina (72), while eight others were injured. A bridge was destroyed and numerous buildings were damaged.
- Although NATO had informed the relevant authorities in advance about the planned targets, the citizens were not warned, and the civilian casualties could have been prevented - CCE emphasized.
They recalled that only last year, through amendments to the Law on Veterans’ and Disability Protection, the victims of the NATO bombing in Murino were officially granted the status of civilian victims of war, and their families received one-off compensation.
- Remembering Murino obliges us to foster a culture of remembrance, insist on accountability, and, through education based on verified facts, pass on to younger generations the truth about the past and the suffering of innocent civilians, so they can build a future of peace and empathy – the Centre for Civic Education stated.
They paid tribute to the innocent victims of this tragedy and reminded of the lasting consequences that have marked their families and the local community.