Vujadin Berberović, local activist who campaigned against Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina, passes away

In October 2020, a Bankwatch fact-finding mission monitoring the social and environmental impacts of the section of the Corridor Vc project south of Mostar met with Mr Berberović to learn about the ramifications the project could have for his own property in the village of Ortiješ and to hear about the concerns of other community members.

The news about Mr Berberović’s passing on Sunday, February 7, came as a shock to us, and we wish to send heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We stand with you in this difficult time, and will continue to do our utmost to amplify your concerns about the Corridor Vc project to decision-makers.

Mr Berberović fled the area during the 1990s war, but rebuilt his life in the village of Ortijes after returning with his family, caring for his vineyard, following in the footsteps of his ancestors.

When we met him, Mr Berberović was visibly distraught by the prospects of his precious vineyard being destroyed by the currently planned route of the motorway project, as well as by his experience fighting to make his and the community’s voices heard among decision-makers. His perseverance is an inspiration.

We are grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to Mr Berberović himself and thankful for his help, enabling us to meet with other community members concerned about the project. Their testimonies informed the report Bankwatch released just last week.

Bankwatch continues to stand with the community to demand justice for Mr Berberović and all local residents affected by the project.

Read also:

Connecting or Dividing? The South Mostar section of Corridor Vc in Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Bankwatch je duboko potresen saznanjem o smrti Vujadina Berberovića, predsjednika Udruženja povratnika Srba u Mostar, Bosna i Hercegovina, koji je odigrao ključnu ulogu u mobilizaciji svoje zajednice da bi osigurao da i lokalni stanovnici budu ravnopravni sudionici u razvoju projekta koridora Vc.

U oktobru 2020. Bankwatch delegacija koja je radila na utvrđivanju činjenica o socijalnim i okolišnim uticajima dionice projekta Koridor Vc južno od Mostara, sastala se s g. Berberovićem kako bi prikupila više informacija o posljedicama koje bi projekt mogao imati za njegovo vlastito imanje u selu Ortiješ i razgovarala sa sa ostalim članovima zajednice o njihovim strahovima.

Vijest o smrti gospodina Berberovića u nedjelju, 7. februara, bila je za nas šok i želimo uputiti iskreno saučešće njegovoj obitelji i prijateljima. Stojimo uz vas u ovom teškom vremenu i nastavit ćemo činiti sve što možemo kako bismo vaše brige i strahove vezane za projekt Koridor Vc približili donositeljima odluka.

Gospodin Berberović je morao napustiti svoj dom tokom rata devedesetih, ali je obnovio svoj život u mjestu Ortiješ nakon povratka 1998. s obitelji, brinući se o svom vinogradu, slijedeći korake svojih predaka.

Kad smo ga upoznali, g. Berberović je bio vidno zabrinut za budućnost svog dragocjenog vinograda, kojem je prijetilo uništenje trenutno planiranom trasom projekta autoceste. Ali on je već imao iskustvo u borbi da se njegovi i glasovi zajednice čuju među donositeljima odluka. Njegova ustrajnost je nadahnuće.

Zahvalni smo što smo imali priliku lično razgovarati sa gospodinom Berberovićem i zahvalni na njegovoj pomoći, omogućujući nam sastanak s ostalim članovima zajednice koji su zabrinuti zbog projekta. Njihova svjedočenja dopunila su izvještaj koji je Bankwatch objavio prošle sedmice.

Bankwatch i dalje stoji uz zajednicu tražeći pravdu za g. Berberovića i sve lokalne stanovnike pogođene projektom.