Youth Group of Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H facilitated the technical realization of the project: getting the license for the action, translating the paper for the signatures, explaining the observers the purpose of the action etc.
Having in mind the situation in Balkans in the last 20 years, it was very important to have positive reactions from all Balkan countries. In Sarajevo, however, the reaction was more than positive.
„In just two hours we collected somewhere about 1 000 signatures and distributed around 800 of leaflets. This was the most successful street action that I have participated in so far. It was the first action where people were approaching all by themselves and I did not have to run to them.”, said Naida Softic, the coordinator of the Youth group of Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H.
The Ban Bus Europe 2008 is an advocacy initiative making eight-week road tour through Europe to build public and media awareness in support for the cluster bomb ban. The ultimate goal of conducting a 10 000 km long journey from the Balkans to Oslo is to convince as many European states as possible to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which will be available for signature on 3rd December 2008 in Oslo, Norway.
Bosnia and Herzegovina announced that it will sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions, making it not only a leader in this region but also the world. While BiH’s commitment is welcome, some countries in the region are yet to make the same undertaking and campaigners hope Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stand will be a strong example for its neighbours.
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