{"id":12998,"date":"2025-07-10T16:10:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/?p=12998"},"modified":"2025-07-21T22:09:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T20:09:17","slug":"a-letter-to-the-international-community-stop-the-concentration-zone-in-gaza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/a-letter-to-the-international-community-stop-the-concentration-zone-in-gaza\/","title":{"rendered":"A letter to the international community: Stop the concentration zone in Gaza"},"content":{"rendered":"

About 40 Bosnian civil society organizations, groups and initiatives, as well as prominent human rights activists and other individuals, signed a letter condemning plans to build a \u201cconcentration zone\u201d for hundreds of thousands Palestinians in Gaza, urging the international community to act before it’s too late.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The letter has been sent to representatives of several governments, as well as international bodies and institutions such as the United Nations, European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Europe, OSCE, International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice and others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can read the text of the letter below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This week marks thirty years since the fall of the Srebrenica safe area. On July 11, 1995, Ratko Mladi\u0107\u2019s soldiers entered the enclave and, in the presence of UN troops, committed crimes classified as genocide by international and domestic courts. Tens of thousands of people are expected at the Memorial Center Poto\u010dari this Friday, for yet another funeral and commemoration of the victims of genocide.<\/p>\n

While preparations are underway in our part of the world to mark this anniversary, in another part of the world plans are being made to establish a similar \u201csafe area\u201d for hundreds of thousands of people. This week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated<\/a> that he had ordered his units to begin preparations for establishing a \u201chumanitarian city\u201d on the ruins of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. This \u201ccity\u201d is meant to confine hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. They will not be able to leave unless they apply for relocation to a third country willing to accept them. Provided that they even survive such a \u201ccity.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, when the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated. They were killed in relentless bombings throughout the Gaza Strip, but also in attacks on hospitals, refugee camps, and schools where displaced people had sought shelter. They were also killed while trying to collect humanitarian aid distributed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an agency established by Israel and the United States after a complete blockade of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, despite protests and criticism received from international organizations and humanitarian initiatives whose work in Gaza was stopped months earlier. According to a United Nations report, in just the first month of GHF operations, the Israeli army killed over 400 Palestinians<\/a> trying to reach food at these checkpoints. In the past month, the number of victims has risen to over 700. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of this agency<\/a> in May this year, along with a \u201csterile zone\u201d free of Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip. Now there are talks that the GHF will be in charge of aid in the \u201chumanitarian city\u201d built on top of the remains of Rafah, along with other unnamed international organizations.<\/p>\n

Human rights and international law experts warn<\/a> that this is a plan for new crimes against humanity in Gaza. Such a camp is nothing more than an internment center for the expulsion of survivors and the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. These are war crimes, similar to what Bosnians and Herzegovinians endured thirty years ago, crimes we hoped never to see again, especially not with the silence or even support of democratic countries that take pride in protecting human rights and the rule of law.<\/p>\n

Israeli authorities have not been particularly shy about their intentions to ethnically cleanse Gaza and expand Israeli settlements there. Their most significant partner, U.S. President Donald Trump, was also not opposed to such ideas. These days, he is optimistic about peace talks between Israel and Hamas. Trump and Netanyahu discussed a 60-day ceasefire this week, and this period is precisely when the \u201chumanitarian city\u201d – a concentration zone for Palestinians in Gaza – is expected to be established.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt that this is a preparation for the expulsion of Palestinian children, women and men from Gaza. A city is a place of life, with hospitals, schools, shops, cinemas, and theaters, a place where people LIVE and move freely. A \u201chumanitarian city\u201d in Rafah would be a place of confinement, without any of the things that make a dignified life, a place without a future, where only death and exile are certain. There is no such thing as \u201cvoluntary relocation\u201d from such a place.<\/p>\n

Such a concentration camp must not be built and can not be a part of any peace plan or negotiations. The international community must not allow it to happen. If this crime against humanity in the making is also met with silence or approval, as previous crimes in Gaza have been, it will be yet another, perhaps fatal, blow to international law and justice, already deeply wounded in Palestine and stripped of nearly all meaning and gravitas.<\/p>\n

Thirty years ago, the world watched concentration camps, massacres, and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina unfold on the evening news, up to the point when genocide in Srebrenica was committed. Since then, we have heard \u201cnever again\u201d countless times: \u201dnever again\u201d Srebrenica, \u201cnever again\u201d Prijedor, \u201cnever again\u201d Sarajevo, \u201cnever again\u201d… The genocide in Srebrenica was committed in Europe, in the presence of the international community and before the eyes of the whole world. To believe that what we already witnessed will not be repeated in Rafah is na\u00efve.<\/p>\n

The plan for a \u201chumanitarian city\u201d in the southern Gaza Strip, for hundreds of thousands of people already living in utterly inhumane conditions, has to be the final wake-up call for the world\u2019s conscience. For nearly two years, states and international organizations have tolerated numerous violations of human rights and the laws of war and have failed to impose sanctions against Israeli authorities who are killing and starving Palestinian children, women and men and now plan to get rid of the survivors.<\/p>\n

We call on the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution on an arms embargo against Israel, given the serious violations of international humanitarian law, and to establish an international investigative commission to document potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. We also call on UN member states to employ other coercive measures, such as breaking or limiting diplomatic ties and imposing unilateral sanctions, including freezing the assets of Israeli officials and institutions, travel bans, and the termination of trade agreements. Similar to the sanctions imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine, Israeli banks should be excluded from the SWIFT system, and companies cooperating with Israel should face the threat of sanctions.<\/p>\n

Effective, targeted, and legally grounded sanctions against Israel are necessary not only to stop the killing and displacement but also to prevent the long-term institutionalization of apartheid and impunity. Sanctions must compel Israeli authorities to respect international law, enable unhindered humanitarian aid, and end the policy of collective punishment of the civilian population.<\/p>\n

Thirty years ago, the international community did not prevent the genocide in Srebrenica. Today, there is still time to stop one in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Signatories:<\/h2>\n

Organizations \/ groups:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Bh. povorka ponosa \/ BiH pride march
\nCentar za mlade KVART Prijedor
\nCentar za postkonfliktna istra\u017eivanja \/ Post – Conflict Research Center
\nCentar za promociju civilnog dru\u0161tva (CPCD)
\nCentar za zastupanje gra\u0111anskih interesa – Fondacija CPI
\nDKC Sarajevo
\nFondacija Atelje za dru\u0161tvene promjene – ACT
\nFondacija Boris Divkovi\u0107
\nFondacija Infohouse
\nFondacija za razvoj medija i civilnog dru\u0161tva \u201cMediacentar\u201d
\nKvinna till Kvinna, BiH
\nSarajevski otvoreni centar
\nSve su to vje\u0161tice
\nTuzlanski otvoreni centar
\nUdru\u017eenje\/udruga BH Novinari
\nUdru\u017eenje gra\u0111ana i gra\u0111anki Za\u0161to ne
\nUdru\u017eenje gra\u0111ana O\u0161tra Nula
\nUdru\u017eenje za kulturu i umjetnost Crvena
\nUdru\u017eenje \u017eena \u201cNapravi Razliku\u201d
\nUdru\u017eenje \u201cSara-Srebrenica\u201d<\/p>\n

Individuals:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Alma Ga\u010danin
\nAndreja Dugand\u017ei\u0107
\nAzra Berbi\u0107
\nBelma Be\u0107irba\u0161i\u0107
\nBojana Kosti\u0107
\nBorka Rudi\u0107
\nDajana Baki\u0107
\nDajana Cvjetkovi\u0107
\nD\u017eenana Ala\u0111uz
\nEdin Ibrahimefendi\u0107
\nFe\u0111a Kulenovi\u0107
\nHana \u0106urak
\nJasmina \u010cekri\u0107
\nLejla Huremovi\u0107
\nLejla Kusturica
\nMaida Muminovic
\nMaida Zagorac
\nMilica Pralica
\nNed\u017eada Avdi\u0107
\nTamara Mi\u0161\u010devi\u0107
\nValentina Gagi\u0107
\nVildana D\u017eekman<\/p>\n

Signatures of Support:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Amra Kapetanovi\u0107
\nMinja Damjanovic
\nDalio Sijah
\nIvana Vu\u010deti\u0107
\nAzra Hod\u017ei\u0107-\u010cavki\u0107
\nDino Kasumovic
\nBiljana Livancic
\nAdna Sokolovi\u0107
\nEmir Nazzif Fetahovic
\nSamra Skokic
\nLamija Hara\u010di\u0107
\nSelma Raoni\u0107
\nEmina Bo\u0161njak
\nSanela Cesko
\nAmina \u010celikovi\u0107
\nAzemina Hujdur
\nAdmir Adilovi\u0107
\nElma Duli\u0107
\nArnela Tre\u0161njo
\nLejla D\u017eani\u0107
\nSenka Kurt
\nMuamera Cesko
\nAmina Vejzalajbegovic
\nNerma Daut-Bajramovic
\nD\u017eenana Kere\u0161
\nTarik Mo\u0107evi\u0107
\nSumka Bu\u010dan
\nMelika \u0160ari\u0107
\nErna Dogic
\nAldina Lipovac-Jandri\u0107, Abrasmedia.info
\nNev Trakic
\nNesha Dru\u0161ki\u0107
\nMurisa Polimac
\nAmina Kapur
\nBelma Buljina
\nMersiha Besirovic
\nLea Petrovi\u0107
\nLamija Tanovi\u0107
\nEmina Kujundzic
\nAmra Erdi\u0107
\nMehmed Hara\u010di\u0107
\nZaim Babic
\nNirvana Kisic
\nEdo Kanli\u0107
\nAldijana Zorlak
\nHana Bajrovi\u0107
\nVanja \u0160unji\u0107
\nSenada \u010ca\u010dkovi\u0107
\nBinela Pipo
\nAlma Me\u010devi\u0107
\nIrma Suba\u0161i\u0107
\nFatima Red\u017eovi\u0107
\nIlma Suljagic
\nVedrana Falad\u017ei\u0107
\nBelma Rizvanovic
\nBosna River’s Watch 099 service
\nSelma Morankic-Miljkovic
\nAmila \u0160ertovi\u0107
\nBelma Mujazinovi\u0107
\n\u0110OR\u0110E ILI\u0106
\nNina Imamovi\u0107
\nJU Prva gimnazija Sarajevo
\nMinel Abaz
\nAlmin Red\u017ei\u0107
\nElma Red\u017ei\u0107
\nOzrenka Me\u0161i\u0107
\nNahida Skopljak
\nSanela Ba\u0161i\u0107, Univerzitet u Sarajevu
\nNefisa Omerkic
\nEmina Cengic
\nElma Agi\u0107
\nBelma \u010cutura
\nDelila Hasanbegovi\u0107 Vukas
\nSelma Demirovi\u0107
\nSelma Terzic
\nAnesa Slini\u0107
\nErnada Avdibegovic
\nLejla Abdel Rahman Colic
\nAjna Katica
\nAmar Kara\u0111uz
\nAlisa Brki\u0107
\nDanina Vranic
\nAmina \u0160atrovi\u0107-Bari\u0161i\u0107
\nIlma \u010cosi\u0107
\nDeni Sijah
\nSabina Ju\u0161i\u0107
\nAmela Hara\u010di\u0107
\nJelena Kalinic
\nAmina Izmirli\u0107 \u0106atovi\u0107
\nAmra Leme\u0161
\nCentar za edukaciju i istra\u017eivanje “Nahla”
\nMy Right – Empowers people with disabilities
\nNata\u0161a Maros
\nSanja Maji\u0107
\nAida Karovi\u0107
\nHata Kujrakovic
\nLamija Vehabovi\u0107 Halilovi\u0107
\nTarik Jahic
\nAmela \u0160olji\u0107
\nNela Milosevic Ilic
\nSabina Besirevic-Zahirovic
\nNela Milosevic Ilic
\nHatidza Hadzimuhamedovic
\nAmina Du\u010danovi\u0107
\nEdina Dogdibegovi\u0107
\nZa \u010dist zrak
\nZina Drnda-Pa\u0161i\u0107
\nEna Forto
\nMirna Ler
\nD\u017eenana Hara\u010di\u0107
\nLejla Mahmutcehajic Dizdarevic
\nHajra Im\u0161irovi\u0107
\nBelma Tirovi\u0107
\nMirna Ler
\nAmra Fo\u010do
\nBetina Ha\u010dam
\nD\u017eanita Kameri\u0107
\nNaida Kucukalic
\nElvir \u0110uliman
\nSelma Spahi\u0107
\nHaris \u010cebiri\u0107
\nDanira Karovi\u0107 La\u010devi\u0107
\nAida Bi\u010dak\u010di\u0107
\n\u017deljana Spasojevi\u0107
\nTanja Risti\u0107
\nLejla Mujaki\u0107
\nLejla Zola
\nMerlinkina djeca
\nAlex Buza
\nMeliha Kadic
\nHamza Fazli\u0107
\nUdru\u017eenje za psiho-socijalnu podr\u0161ku i bolju budu\u0107nost “Progres”
\nAzra Frlj
\nAmila Mad\u017eak
\nIzabela Markovi\u0107
\nMatej Veli\u0107
\nAida Krsti\u0107
\nErmin Ba\u0161a\u0161ki\u0107
\nMajed Abu Kharroub
\nJadranka Anic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About 40 Bosnian civil society organizations, groups and initiatives, as well as prominent human rights activists and other individuals, signed a letter condemning plans to build a \u201cconcentration zone\u201d for hundreds of thousands Palestinians in Gaza, urging the international community to act before it’s too late.\u00a0 The letter has been sent to representatives of several … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":13001,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,33,34,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-civic-activism","category-government-accountability","category-news","category-zasto-ne-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12998"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13038,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12998\/revisions\/13038"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zastone.ba\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}