Children Quote by Sadik Selimovic
“Mladic literally said these words: They would kill all the men and throw them in the Drina river to feed fish, and these men would never again kill Serb children in the Serb Drina valley. But they would let the women go so they can suffer.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Testimony at International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, 1995
The speaker just that mass killing of men would stop future violence against Serb children, but women would be spared only to endure suffering.
In simple terms: Killing men is seen as a way to end future attacks, while women are left to suffer.
Key Takeaway
Consider the moral cost of targeting one gender to protect another.
Themes
war
genocide
gender violence
revenge
human rights
Mood
grim
somber
reflective
Type
ethical
political
historical
When to use this quote
- post-conflict justice
- humanitarian aid
- peace negotiations
- victim support
Key Concepts
genocide
gendered violence
strategic killing
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever justifiable to sacrifice one group to protect another?
- How does gendered targeting affect long‑term reconciliation?
A Different Perspective
The logic ignores that violence against any group fuels further cycles of hatred.
