On the occasion of the catastrophic situation regarding the lives of refugees and migrants in Bihać and Velika Kladuša,
We appeal to the authorities of BiH, the European Union, UNHCR, IOM and other relevant organizations and institutions to urgently secure adequate and humane accommodation for all migrants and refugees who live in the territory of BiH and to provide full logistical and economic support to local authorities and volunteers on the ground!
A humanitarian catastrophe is occurring In Bihać and Velika Kladuša. Thousands of people without shelter have been exposed to the severe weather that struck that part of our country.
For months, multiple actors have raised the alarm about the lack of government action and the refusal to fulfill their legal obligations and provide adequate accommodation and care for these people. As usual our authorities do what they know best – they assign responsibility to each other without actually doing anything, and in the meantime they violate laws as well as international obligations assumed by this state. This country is not so poor that it cannot assist these few thousand people.
However, our authorities have now shifted their obligations to the depleted and impoverished citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As they spend our money on buying cars, conferences and meetings throughout the world, the citizens of this country have once again shown their solidarity towards others. As during the flood of 2014, individuals are investing a lot of strength, energy, resources and knowledge to help people survive. We feed people and help them as much as we can. But individually we cannot and should not take the responsibility of the state! The only solution lies in systematic aid – in accommodation, provision of health and legal services (which is the most important), and including schooling. For months, people have been sleeping in the open and in abandoned and inadequate buildings, while there are empty newly-built and refurbished housing and business buildings that were illegally built by these authorities in our public spaces. It is not that there are is no accommodation capacity, but rather a question of personal interests and ultimately racism. Regime media and politicians increasingly use hate speech to justify their inaction and human life seems devalued in this country.
The dysfunctionality of the state also suits international bureaucrats that survive here because of this dysfunction. The large offices of UNHCR and IOM deny responsibility for taking care of people even though they have a mandate to do just that. They have already done well in this game of shifting responsibilities that BiH authorities have developed to perfection. The European Union keeps their eyes closed and doesn’t act, although the EU is responsible for this situation because of the policy of closed borders and encouraging violence against these people (which is currently being carried out openly by the Croatian police).
All of this lack of concern and refusal to take any responsibility have led to thousands of people in Bihać, Velika Kladuša and Sarajevo sleeping in the open, or in ruined and totally inadequate areas at risk to poor hygiene and health.
Due to the storms that hit the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, human lives are now absolutely endangered. In Velika Kladuša, a tent camp with 300-500 refugees, including women and children, is under water. It is a very swampy area that is prone to retaining water. In Bihać, several thousand people have been exposed to the storm without shelter. Rain continues to fall and night is approaching where people are left without any protection. Local authorities are struggling as much as they can, but the number of refugees and poor weather conditions are overwhelming their ability to adequately respond to these problems.
We no longer want to listen to endless delays, transferring responsibility, or finding excuses (there is both money and capacity). All of you are responsible! Human lives are at stake! If you cannot provide adequate support, then at least step down from the functions that you are unable to perform. We cannot allow people to sleep and reside in mud, dirt, and totally inadequate hygienic conditions. In front of us is winter that can be terribly raw in these areas. All of you jointly are responsible for people’s lives!
We demand an immediate response, without delay and politicizing!
We demand the inclusion of all levels of government, especially state and entity, as the situation overwhelms the capacities and possibilities of Bihać and Velika Kladuša!
Given the special legal obligation of the Ministry of Security of BiH, we demand urgent provision of logistical and other support to resolve the issue of accommodation and allow for asylum applications (because of being in a field without an address, that right has been denied)!
We urge the international community to make all of its capacities and resources available and provide concrete assistance to address this humanitarian disaster.
We appeal to other municipalities and cities in BiH to assist primarily Bihać and Velika Kladuša, as well as other cities, to find an adequate and dignified solution for people!
Network for Building Peace
Souls of Sarajevo
SOS Velika Kladuša