Rallies 'Not One More' held in several BiH cities, victims must be protected

(Patria) - Protests under the slogan "Not one more!“ were held in several BiH cities, organized by several non-governmental organizations, women's associations, and related organizations.

With a peaceful gathering, but clear messages, they demanded an urgent and effective reaction from responsible institutions at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or a fundamental change in all social spheres "where such beliefs, forms of consciousness, and practices are encouraged, covered up, or tacitly approved“. This refers to the subjugation of women in the family or society, to violence against women – sexual, physical, psychological, economic, and especially after recent tragic cases such as the monstrous August murder of Nizama Hećimović in Gradačac.

Jadranka Milićević from the "Cure" Foundation and a member of the Women's Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasized at the rally in Sarajevo the recent case of the annulment of a 35-year prison sentence for a man who killed his wife.

According to her, the verdict was a bright example that existing laws prescribe high penalties for perpetrators of violence, but disappointment followed – the annulment of the verdict and return to a retrial.

Protest participants in Sarajevo and several other cities carried banners with messages such as "Stop Femicide!“, "He killed his wife because she is – a woman!“ and similar.

They want to encourage women and all victims of domestic violence to report violence and perpetrators despite social stigma and fear that they will not receive adequate protection.

Gathered individuals state that nothing has changed in the last year and that a large number of women have been killed in the past few months.