18 years after war, Croatian Serbs still trying to find a place to call home

In this article, the author, Antonio Bronic addressed the ethnic conflict the continues to haunt the Serbs while they struggle to support themselves eighteen years after the bloody battle that led to the division of Yugoslavia. Before the 1990s, most Serbs that lived in this country resided in the town of Knin.  When Croatia declared their independence in 1991, the Knin's and the Serbs that wanted to remain citizens of Yugoslavia staged a rebellion that ultimately led to the Croatian Army recapturing the town of Knin in 1995. This gain in land forced the Serb population to flee; leaving behind their property and personal belongings. Once the war ended, many Serbs returned to Croatia in hopes that the authorities would assist in rebuilding their homes and provide temporary living arrangements. The story of Drazen Matovic explains the lives of several Serbs as they are faced with issues of citizenship and homelessness. In the article, Bronic follows Matovic and explains that since Matovic has returned to Croatia, he has resided in an abandoned primary school because he cannot earn an income due to his citizenship status. In order for Drazen Matovic to work, he must gain the proper documentation that would ensure that the tasks that he would perform would not be illegal and he would also qualify for welfare payments. However, the Croatian government argues that he is Serbian and he must obtain Serbian documents but, the Serbian government refuses to provide Matovic with the necessary paperwork because they consider him to be Croatian, indicating that he needs Croatian documentation. Without the paperwork, Matovic is unable to afford a home, leaving him with the option to remain living in the vacant school building. 

 http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/21/17403627-18-years-after-war-croatian-serbs-still-trying-to-find-a-place-to-call-home?lite

- Heather Krynicki