Citizens on the streets of several BiH cities: Mayor Karić read out the demands

(Patria) - Citizens of Sarajevo, Gradačac, Zenica, Tuzla and Mostar are taking to the streets today in protest following the horrific tragedy that occurred in Gradačac, where Nermin Sulejmanović killed his common-law wife Nizama Hećimović, and then two other people.

He seriously wounded another woman, and broadcast the brutal violence on social media.

In addition to numerous experts, citizens' associations and civil society - the family of the murdered Nizama also emphasized that her murder was made possible, among other things, by the negligence and ignorance of the system.

While citizens are rising up, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina refused to be united and declare a Day of Mourning across the entire country. Ministers from the RS entity voted against the Day of Mourning in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so the decision remained with the entities, whose governments ultimately declared the Day of Mourning for Wednesday, August 16, N1 reports.

Today, Nermina was laid to rest in her hometown of Gradačac, while the other two victims, Đengiz and Denis Onder, will be buried on Tuesday.

As for the protests in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the main initiators was Mayor Benjamina Karić, who stated that it is high time for institutions to take responsibility.

She read out the demands addressed to the BiH authorities, and those gathered began a protest march towards the Aria center.

DEMANDS

1. We demand the urgent determination of responsibility of police officers and holders of judicial functions, as well as adequate sanctioning in terms of any established omissions and criminal liability of the said persons, and reporting to the public on the actions taken and results achieved.
2. We call on the competent entities to increase the capacities of safe houses for victims of violence/users of safe houses and build new ones where they do not exist. In safe houses, in addition to physical protection, ensure psychological support, legal assistance, and care for the child's educational process. Gradačac does not have a safe house.
3. Institutional support through the social protection system. Providing adequate protection and support to victims of violence against women. The victim protection system must be linked with the competent authorities.
4. At the same time, we ask legislative bodies to promptly adopt regulations that will effectively control the publication of content that promotes or incites violence.
5. We call on and encourage victims of violence, as well as all others who have information about violence, to be responsible and immediately report violence in order to prevent escalation with tragic outcomes.
6. We call on the competent governments, ministries and other relevant entities to ensure effective protection of victims of violence, in terms of intervention based on submitted reports, as well as protection of those reporting violence.
7. We call on the competent governments, ministries and other relevant entities to place perpetrators of serious criminal offenses under special effective and regular supervision of police authorities, even after serving their imposed sentence, and to define by law the responsibility of police officers in case of omission of official action.
8. We call for cooperation with police authorities, and for the competent bodies to organize special training for police agencies and officers on how to approach victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
9. We demand a drastically stricter approach in case of repetition or escalation of violence.
We demand intensive work on timely risk assessment, and calling to account and sanctioning police officers in case of inadequate response to a case of violence.
10. Femicide must be defined as a separate criminal offense. The legal acts of BiH must recognize and clearly define FEMICIDE. Approach femicide as a special form of murder (Amendments to the Criminal Code and other legal acts).
Integrate the recognition of femicide as a separate crime in court practices in BiH. More rigorous prosecution of cases of violence against women. Tightening sanctions for criminal acts of gender-based violence, domestic violence and femicide to the longest possible prison sentences.
11. We appeal to educational and religious institutions to take their share of responsibility and pay special attention to the education of young people in terms of promoting non-violence in the family and community.
12. We call on the competent authorities to urgently undertake activities aimed at expanding prison capacities, all with the aim that all perpetrators of criminal offenses, immediately after the imposition of a custodial sentence, can begin serving it. (It is not uncommon for perpetrators of criminal offenses, due to lack of prison capacity, to serve their prison sentences only after a certain period of time or not serve them at all).
13. We appeal to the competent entities to effectively monitor and react to media reporting that encourages and promotes violence and perpetrators of criminal offenses.
Also, the competent authorities should investigate and sanction the spread and support of violent content on social networks. We demand a reaction and action from the BiH Press Council in cases of inadequate media reporting on violence against women, which dehumanizes women.
14. We demand public campaigns for the prevention of gender-based violence, domestic violence and femicide, correct and professional media reporting on cases of violence against women and femicide.
15. We demand the implementation of international legal obligations in terms of comprehensive implementation and taking measures from the Istanbul Convention and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
16. We note that this situation is the result of neglecting victims of violence and the neglect of this issue that has lasted for decades. This is the last moment to adopt adequate measures. All those who are responsible and tolerate this situation become accomplices in the perpetration of violence.