REPORT

On June 30 and July 1, 2007, in Velika Kladusa, Forum of Tuzla Citizens organised first round table within the project “How to Reach the Truth” with the support from IKV-Pax Christi. The basic aim of the project is to ensure stabile foundation for building of peaceful, non-conflict and prosperity future of the people of Velika Kladusa region through facing with the past, in this case through dialogue at the round table. Already in March 2007, FTC selected co-organiser and the host of the round table – Association “Centre for Democratisation and Tolerance” from Velika Kladusa, led by Mr Husein Murtic. In period April – June 2007, CDT prepared materials for the round table and introduction to the round table. In addition, CDT lobbied members of different options, victims of the recent war and representatives of the authorities to respond to the open discussion. In the preparation period, FTC representatives visited Velika Kladusa twice and together with CDT planned the round table.

After extensive preparations, for the first time after the war in BiH and especially after inter-Muslim (Bosniak) conflict in this area, the round table “How to Reach the Truth” was held in Velika Kladusa, in the Municipal Council hall. Surprisingly, the citizens and the public in Velika Kladusa were very interested for this round table. 64 participants or witnesses of the last events were invited with the best interest to hear and offer different opinions about one and the same event. The respond of the participants was very good – 43 participants were present. There were some participants from the neighbouring countries who are linked to this topic due to the nature of their work and who can contribute very much to the successfulness of the round table with their experience. Such participants are Mrs Natasa Kandic from the Humanitarian Law Fund from Belgrade and Mr Zoran Pusic from the Citizens’ Board for Human Rights from Zagreb. We also invited Mr Srdjan Dizdarevic from the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights from Sarajevo, but unfortunately, due to his health condition, he could not respond. Mr Sinan Alic participated on behalf of the Helsinki Committee. The speakers at the round table were Mr Husein Murtic, the President of CDT and professor Alaga Dervisevic from Sarajevo. The round table was moderated and led by Mr Vehid Sehic, the FTC President.

Before holding of the round table, many citizens asked for the invitation to the round table. However, the space and the means, as well the principle that the representatives of the political parties would not be the main target group in order to avoid politicisation, were limiting factors for inviting of more participants.

Almost all participants participated in the discussion and had opportunity to give their opinion about the topic of the round table. All of them placed the hypothesis that it is necessary to open the discussion about the issue of the truth in the last events and expressed the opinion that this is just good beginning, and that these discussions must be continued. If there is no follow-up discussion on this topic, the effects of the held round table will not be significantly important. At the same time, this is huge improvement in relation to 2000, when CDT was founded, which was initiated and supported by the Forum of Tuzla Citizens, when the discussions about these events were very contradictory without wish for the dialogue.

The radio show at the local radio station was held just after the holding of the round table and the guests in the programme were Vehid Sehic and Puco Danilovich (IKV-Pax Christi).

After two-day work, many discussions, which were very bitter from time to time, even with accusing tone sometimes, the participants agreed on the following conclusions:

1. Due to many recorded cases of violation of the rights from the Law on Rights of the Soldiers and Members of Their Families, it is needed to make all kinds of democratic pressures on actual BiH authorities to implement the verdict of the Constitutional Court F BiH, brought in May 2005, which implies to the Parliament F BiH to harmonise this Law with the Constitution F BiH, since it is established by the verdict that articles 2., 3. and 4, and article 36, point 1 of the Law on Rights of the Soldiers and Members of Their Families (Official Register of Federation BiH nr. 33/04) do not comply with the Constitution of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The state, i.e. its representatives (authorities), no mater which political party it is, have to implement completely regulations of the harmonised Law. If that is not the case, The Court for Human Rights in Strasburg is the place where the state will have to face the lack of implementation.
2. The next topic that was imposed from the discussions is neglecting of the existence of the concentration camps in the last conflict by the members of both parties, so to say. Namely, both sides state that these were detention camps, which witnesses and participants of the round table confuted. Conclusion – to take a scientific research to prove existence of the concentration camps, using documents and witnesses according to the methodology of the Hague Tribunal. That would be the only correct methodological way to establish the truth on existence of the concentration camps, but at the same time that is the most expensive way, which could be financed only by the state. What NGOs can do is that, for instance, FTC in co-operation with IKV-Pax Christi organise another round table, to invite victims of the concentration camps, representatives of the Red Cross and other individuals or organisations which have documentation and who will provoke public and authorities to investigate all the facts in relation to the concentration camps completely.
3. The role of media during inter-Muslim (Bosniak) conflict, as well their role in the post-conflict period is not positive. According to the discussions of the participants, it is obvious that media are mostly deepening misunderstanding that lasts even today.

The final joint conclusion of FTC and CDT as the organisers of this event:

It is extremely important, latest in the September 2007, to continue with holding of the round tables that will put the light on the recent past of Velika Kladusa region and lead to the joint truth which is imperative of the more qualitative life in that area. These topics can be: existence of the concentration camps; the role of media during the conflict and after the conflict; implementation of the Decision of the Constitutional Court, etc.

Ermin Mustacevic, Secretary
Forum of Tuzla Citizens