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Name and first name:________________________________________ Phone. :

Address :__________________________________________________ E-mail :

                               I take part in the collective trip:

    I take part in the March under my responsibility:

                    Signature :        

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REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MARCH FOR SREBRENICA 2006 :

The second International Solidarity March for Srebrenica left from Nezuk this year. On July 18^th 1995, this village located in the Federation (east of Tuzla, on the former front line), has catered for the survivors from the refugee column that had left Potocari on July 11^th, after a battle to cross the front lines held by Serbian forces.

At the beginning of the March, on July 7th in the morning, there were 700 people, and a little more when we arrived in Potocari, after a walk of about 105 km, ie. between 25 and 30 km per day.

This March, which follows the path of the 1995 column is called « protestni pohod ; mars smrti- put slobode » (protesting March, way of death, road to freedom) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only one third of the 14000 men at the beginning managed to reach Nezuk.

This March is a tribute to the victims of ambushes, mines and bombings during this long road to freedom, and to the numerous civilians that were captured and summarily killed by the "chetniks" (Serbian nationalists).

We also want to show our solidarity to country people, that were violently thrown out of their houses in 1993, and who, for a few years, have been rebuilding their houses, cultivating again their fields and breathing new life into their beautiful valleys, hills and mountains. This March makes a link between all these isolated hamlets.

To walk on the return way is a protest against the monstrosity of Dayton Agreements which illegitimately put this area under the control of the « Serbian republic of Bosnia », despite an international recognition of the 1995 genocide.

It is necessary to come back to a Constitution establishing – according the only principles acceptable in Europe – an absolute equality between the three communities: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian, on the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina – and not a subordination of the first two to the third, as it currently is.

The March ends, on July 11^th, with the Commemoration in Potocari, an important event which gathers all the community with mourning families who sometimes come from far away to bury their relatives: in 2005, 620 victims, this year 505, thanks to searches in mass graves and DNA analysis.

Last year, Bosno-Serbian police forces had refused access to Potocari to some of the buses transporting the mourning families. There has been no incident this year.

ORGANISATION OF THE MARCH :

It is prepared by a group of 15 association presidents, lead by Ramo Dautbasic, deputy mayor of Srebrenica, and main organizer of the March.

Volunteers (in civilian clothes) of Bosnian Army (Federation) give a logistical support to the March, set huge tents at each stop, supply with sleeping bags and mats, and prepare breakfast and dinner. And there is even electricity.

The City of Tuzla offers a truck of drinking water and a team of first-aid workers.

The cities of Geneva and Lausanne have offered (as they did last year) 5000 CHF. and 1000 CHF, (about 4000 Euros), which allowed to pay for the restoration of the road and for meals.

There could be more stops, in places where tragic events took place, with a time for silent contemplation or praying; and more detailed explanation and testimonies; in particular for young people, who were quite a lot this year but who didn’t seam to be aware of the events they were commemorating. The educational purpose of the March is important.

It would be necessary to build up a crowd control team, with recognisable armbands. During the last stages, young people were enjoying shouting "Allah akbar" when the March was passing Bosno-Serbian policemen, which is not in the spirit of this March.

It is necessary to write an explanation text, translated in several languages, about the meaning of this March. The leaflet delivered this year only contained practical information.

One of the important aspects is to work out projects with the contacts established with local residents during the March. In Nezuk, we support the project of a cultural centre which was developed by young people. And in Pobudje, we help for the building of a local development association (hardware, restoration of roads, medical service, rebuilding of the stadium, etc.).

Our friends over there say that the link and moral support we give them is very precious. It gives them more self-confidence in a situation in which tomorrow’s insecurity is a predominant feeling. As they have been betrayed by the UN, they know that support of international institutions is unpredictable, even though they feel and they are Europeans.

This is why it would be important to increase European contribution to the March during next years, and also to increase twinnings and development projects.

Our little Franco-Swiss group did not go unnoticed. There were also Italian people. We had the opportunity, at each stop, to live with local residents and so to enjoy all conveniences.

Tracks and paths are like in Jura, there are no special difficulties, apart from the length of stops. But we have vehicles that can help during 2/3^rds of the road.

Ivar Petterson

Two films were made during the March.

In Geneva we are building a photo exhibition.

A 35 min DVD on the 2005 March has been directed by Louise Lambrichs.