It's been 24 years since the Massacre of Srebenica. The year I was born, over 8,000 Bosnian Bosniak men and boys (as described by Potocari Memorial Center) were killed in Srebrenica by the hand of Serbs troops from the army of the Republika Srpska. In 1993 the UN declared the enclave of Srebrenica a safe area under UN protection, however the UN failed to its mission and in 1995 the mass murder occurred. In 2004, the murder in the enclave was ruled an international crime as it constituted a genocide. In 2017, the general in command of the operation, Ratko Mladić was finally convicted for various crimes including the genocide for his role in it. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
This year, for the 14th year in a row, thousands march to remember these victims.
The search for the bodies of the genocide is still ongoing. This year, the funeral to be held today, July 11th, will bury 33 newly identified victims.
What is the Peace March?
Peace March as a three-day long walking campaign, taking place as a supporting activity to the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica and its environs. Its goal is to remind the international community of horrible crimes conducted by military and police forces of Republika Srpska, supported by forces from Serbia, against Bosniaks in "Safe haven of the UN" - Srebrenica, in July 1995.
This campaign is called a "protest", as it aims to attract all the relevant actors at local and international level, for faster arrest and prosecution of persons responsible for committed crimes (genocide, crime against humanity), for administration of justice as a prerequisite for building lasting peace and tolerance among ethnicities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Column of participants, consisting of thousands from all around the world, starts from a village called Nezuk (Sapna Municipality) and over three days period reaches Potočari (Srebrenica Municipality), by passing some 90 kilometers. A day after the March is finished, participants have the opportunity to attend a memorial service and participate in performing the funeral prayer (in Islamic religious tradition) and burial of identified victims of genocide, found in one of the sites of mass graves that they themselves passed by as part of the planned routes.
Peace March lasts for three days, from 8th to 10th of July, with the same number of stages. Each of the stages is between 30 and 35 kilometers long. During the March, on certain checkpoints, short historical classes are held, where there is an opportunity to hear some of the testimonies of survivors and participants of the real "Death March" from 1995.
The route includes rugged hill terrains and mountains (Udrč, 1043m), areas densely covered with trees with creeks, and passes through a number of returnee villages, whose hospitality many of the participants experienced in previous years and Marches. In each of these locations, participants have the opportunity to see some of site of importance, that historically date in not so distant past: places where there was mass executions of captured Bosniaks, or places where they found the primary and secondary mass graves.
Because it matters, the summer university of Srebrenica has also come up with a Code of Conduct for accredited participants of the march, which goes as follows:
Code of Conduct:
Accredited participants are in obligation to adhere to this "Code of Conduct" for benefits of better organization and their own safety
Only accredited, properly registered persons can join the march
Participants who subsequently join the March must register with one of the group leaders
You are obliged to follow the instructions of team leaders in all situations and in all matters
You are in obligation to strictly follow provided, marked lanes
Maintain visual contact with members of your group
Seek medical help only from accredited medical teams
Eventual breaks and pauses only to be made with permission of team leaders
Presence at the sleepover points is obligatory
At the sleepover points you are required to be present at the roll call
In the case of adverse weather conditions turn off all radio devices and mobile phones
Do not throw waste/garbage along pathway. Seek planned spots and containers instead
Watch danger signs for unexploded bombs "PAZI MINE !"
Use of alcoholic beverages, of any kind, is strictly prohibited
Bear in mind the possibility of a fire while using lighter or consuming cigarettes
Any movement during night, with the exception of planned checkpoints, is prohibited
Inform your team leader about any possible incident and follow his instructions
Behave in a dignified and disciplined manner in every situation
Participants who wish to leave the march, shall report to the leader of the group
Disregarding this Code may cause exclusion from the Peace March
Peace march is a type of an event that requires both physical and mental preparedness, that is why we are bringing you some of the recommendations prepared by the Red Cross of Tuzla Canton volunteers (http://www.cktk.org) :
Make sure to bring the means with high protection factor to protect your skin from sunburn, especially the parts of your body directly exposed to the sun (head, arms ,...)
Wear head covering (cap, hat, headscarf, etc.)
Make sure you have sufficient number of underwear (cotton, if possible) so you could change, preferably boxer shorts, in order to reduce friction between your legs and to avoid rash
Sufficient number of socks, woolen best, to be changed often, is recommended in order to minimize the possibility of blisters on the feet
Comfortable shoes, reduce the possibility of the formation of blisters, as well
Sufficient amount of water to avoid possible loss of liquids is recommended
Ensure sufficient input of salts (by consuming tomatoes, bananas,...fresh fruits and vegetables)
It is advisable to carry some multivitamin preparation, in the form of tablets and drink it, dissolved in water, during the breaks
You should carry one or two first bend, and a package of bandages
Take sufficient number of (cotton) T-shirts with you, so you could change when you get sweaty; sweaty person has greater ability of catching cold when wearing wet T-shirt
A waterproof raincoat, could help you protect yourself in case of heavy raining
Do not access the march wearing short pantalones, except if you wear wool socks "spats" to the knee (which protect from wet grass, ticks and possible snake bites)
Take account of tick bites - if you find ticks on your skin, look for professional medical help, do not try to remove ticks yourself
Use means that protect from insect bites (mosquitoes), ; " Autan "- spay or a cream
Do not consume alcohol during the marching!
Walking speed in the column is to be adjusted to a person that is not trained
Rest always when you need it
People with joint and bone problems (spondylosis, arthritis), should use sticks for hiking
If a pain behind the sternum (in your chest) occurs, request medical help IMMEDIATELY !
The column is accompanied by a medical emergency team, which should go for all interventions that require medical assistance
It is advised for all persons suffering of a chronic illness or persons on a compulsory treatment of medication to consult their physician and under his permission join this march. It is also advisable for them to stay close to one of the mobile medical teams
For all of the necessary interventions in the field of first aid, request assistance of the volunteers of "Red Cross", trained to provide first aid, and who accompany the march participants,
Adhere to the "Code of Conduct" and the instructions issued by the organizer of march