The death of Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of war crimes during the 1990s Bosnian war, has revived painful memories for survivors of the Srebrenica massacre. Mladic passed away Thursday while serving a life sentence at a hospital in The Hague, where he had been imprisoned for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. His death has prompted reflection among those affected by one of Europe’s deadliest atrocities since World War II.

Mladic’s role in the July 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces, cemented his international notoriety. The killings and subsequent mass graves devastated the region and left lasting scars on the families of victims. Mejra Djogaz, a 77-year-old survivor who lost three sons, her husband, and grandson in the massacre, said Mladic’s death changed little about the depth of her loss. Living near the memorial center in Potocari, the site where many victims are buried, she expressed ongoing fear of returning to her home village near Srebrenica, which remains sparsely inhabited due to the war’s impact.

“It’s because of him that I was left alone,” Djogaz said, emphasizing the shared suffering of many mothers from the area. She added that while she wished Mladic could have lived longer to endure more suffering, the pain experienced by the victims’ families remains profound.

Sehida Abdurahmanovic, part of the main association representing mothers from Srebrenica, described Mladic’s conviction and imprisonment as the primary source of closure for many survivors. Abdurahmanovic’s brother went missing during the massacre and remains unaccounted for. “For us, the main thing is that he was convicted and that he was serving his sentence,” she said, noting that with the sentence, “his life was already over.”

Fadila Efendic, who lost both her husband and son in the massacre, said Mladic’s passing did not bring clear feelings of joy or sorrow. She expressed concern that while Mladic has died, “his ideas are not dead,” highlighting the enduring challenges related to reconciliation and remembrance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mladic’s health had declined in recent months; he suffered several strokes before his death. His legacy remains divisive and painful in the region, as survivors continue to confront the consequences of the conflict and seek justice and healing.