Report on commemoration after nineteen years since genocide in Srebrenica
In organization of WIB this year, as for many years before, the tribute to innocent Bosnians killed in Srebrenica was commemorated. Activist members of WIB Serbian network and of Women in Black from Belgrade took part in this event. It took place on 10th and 11th of July.
On July 10th at 12:00 am outside the Serbian Presidency, there was a protest of women and some prominent activists of civil society. The letter addressed to the President of state was read, demanding that 11th of July be proclaimed The Memory Day of Genocide in Srebrenica.
The strong police presence was evident. Two days prior to that, on July 8th in Valjevo, WIB were seeing off the line of cyclists, who were leaving for Srebrenica, like the year before. Even though secured by the police, they were attacked by national-extremist groups, whose members broke through the cordon and assaulted the activists.
Weather this was the reason, this year the number of policemen who followed our every step was obviously increased. From the very moment we exited the WIB offices, we were entirely occupied by the large number of policemen, same thing when we went back to the hostel, during the night while we slept, and in the morning they escorted us to the station. Actually, my strongest impression of that occupation by the police was in the evening of 10th, on the Square, before we left for Srebrenica. During our protest and performance in WIB organization, we were occupied by cordons of police and gendarmerie. My personal feeling was horrific. I was experiencing great pressure and fear not from the public, who had to walk in wide circles around us and couldn’t see the event, but from the police, and especially from the gendarmerie. I had a feeling they were placing us in a ghetto, "protecting" us from other people actually felt like they were protecting other people from us, so that we wouldn't infect them with our ideology, which is so stable and firm, because we think differently, because we ask that the rest of Serbia and Serbian government deal with the crimes committed in the war in Srebrenica and other parts and that they recognize those crimes.
This was my strongest impression concerning the increased police presence. Simply, I was not afraid of people, who used to shout at us in previous years, because this time it was like there were no people anywhere around us, only police, police. This went on during our trip to Srebrenica as well.
And when we arrived to Srebrenica, it was a completely different impression and experience. We are appreciated and respected there. We are treated with respect at every step, people thank us because we don’t let the crimes be forgotten. Even their officials, and especially ordinary people want to shake our hands, to let us know they admire our bravery. They are informed on everything, on what happens to us in Serbia and on pressure we are exposed to. They know of attacks against WIB, they empathize with us and care for us. I have no words to express that difference in behavior, comparing to people in Serbia who don’t understand us and don’t want to understand us or what we stand for.
I am indeed proud to be the member of the WIB network and to share all those values with them, and for as long as I am able to, I will take part in all activities without any fear.
15th July 2014, Krusevac
Kostic Nadezda
Pescanik and member of LDP
