Victory for the "Brave women of Kruščica"

 21.12.2018

 The brave women of Kruščica celebrating as they vacate the bridge after over 500 days and nights. © Sediva fotografie/ Arnika++ The women left the bridge after more than 500 days and nights ++

Good news close to Christmas: on December 14th, the people of Kruščica in Bosnia and Herzegovina won a crucial court case against two hydropower projects that were planned on their little river. The court stopped all dam plans. Now the "brave women of Kruščica" have left the bridge for the first time after more than 500 days and nights. After some celebrations, of course.

“We are happy finally to see some shift towards improvement and truly grateful to all organizations and good people for their support. At the moment, we are the proudest community in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” stated Amela Zukan, one of the ‘brave women of Kruščica’.Brave women of Kruščica during their protest in October 2017. © Andrew Burr

The "Brave women of Kruščica" have blocked an access bridge to dam construction sites since August 2017, around the clock 24/7. In that period they resisted police violence, threats by regional authorities and the investor, icy weather etc. They became internationally recognition through the documentary Blue Heart, produced by the outdoor company Patagonia. See trailer here

That´s good news for the people of Kruščica as well as for anyone fighting for the protection of Balkan Rivers, the Blue Heart of Europe.

Find more info about the court case on the website of our Blue Heart partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina NGO "Center for Environment"

The brave women of Kruščica celebrating as they vacate the bridge after over 500 days and nights. © Sediva fotografie/ Arnika

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