Bosnian women call for peace and justice
By Jennifer Thompson
Sydney — Speaking at a meeting on September 8, a Bosnian woman survivor of Omarska concentration camp at Prijedor, in Bosnia-Hercegovina, called for action by women to end the suffering of women and children and to bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice.
In relating her story, the woman — who must remain anonymous for fear of further retribution against her family remaining in the war zone — drew attention to the way in which women and children particularly have been targeted in the war. Coupled with a call for the establishment of a war crimes tribunal was her call to lift the arms embargo on Bosnia-Hercegovina so that the people may defend themselves against Serb aggression.
Speaking on behalf of women who in the camps, she said, "We are witnesses, we are the women of concentration camps, the well-known Omarska, Trnopolje and Keraterm camps. The massacres of our children, the rape and torture of our women, we have watched constantly.
"They raped our mothers, sisters and children again and again, forcing us to watch these unforgivable crimes. Children as young as seven were raped and tortured. They forced fathers on daughters, brothers on sisters, sons on mothers, again putting us through the misery of watching these unspeakable crimes".
The woman called for the right of the people of Bosnia and Hercegovina to live in peace, dignity and security with their families. She highlighted women's rights as the bearers of children and the need to protect children and newborn babies.
She also called for the opening of all concentration camps and an immediate halt to "ethnic cleansing", rape, massacres, robbery and wholesale destruction in Bosnia and Hercegovina. "We can provide important documentation of the war atrocities that are happening now, to bring to justice all war criminals."
Women wanting to know more about the international campaign may get into contact with the International Women's Development Agency in Sydney on (02) 264 1481.