In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is concern over the increasing number of acts of vandalism at Orthodox cemeteries

The Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina has strongly condemned yet another act of vandalism at an Orthodox cemetery in the village of Vučinići, located near the town of Kladanj. According to the Orthodoxia News Agency, numerous gravestones were desecrated and damaged as a result of the vandalism.

The situation is particularly alarming, as this is not an isolated incident. According to the priest in charge, attacks on Orthodox burial sites in the Kladany area have been occurring for several years; however, those responsible for previous incidents have still not been found or brought to justice.

An official statement from the Interfaith Council emphasizes that the desecration of cemeteries is a manifestation of profound disrespect toward the deceased, their families, and the entire religious community. Such actions destabilize the situation, causing tension among believers and hindering the consolidation of peace and interfaith harmony in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The organization calls on law enforcement and judicial authorities to take comprehensive measures to track down the perpetrators and investigate not only current but also past acts of vandalism. “Every cemetery, regardless of the religious or ethnic background of those buried there, must be a place of peace, dignity, and respect. Protecting holy sites is a shared responsibility of each and every one of us,” the statement reads.

As a reminder, we previously reported that a new act of vandalism targeting a cultural heritage site—the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Spas—was recorded in the city of Prizren, Kosovo. On August 23, 2026, a perpetrator damaged the entrance doors and the lighting system of the 14th-century architectural monument.