The organization Glas žene, which deals with the provision of legal, advisory, educational, educational and humanitarian assistance to women, issued a press release after a new case of femicide that happened today in Sarajevo.
They pointed out that this case of femicide, in the last few years, indicates a complete breakdown of the system’s preventive and protective mechanisms.
Considering the information that the suspect Tarik Prusac had previously sent threats to the murdered Elma Godinjak, the Glas Žene organization says that it is clear that this is a serious failure of the system.
On this occasion, they demand from this organization an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation of all the circumstances of this case, including concrete determination of individual and institutional responsibility.
Below is their statement:
– The organization Glas žene strongly condemns the brutal murder of a woman in Sarajevo and expresses its deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the victim.
This crime represents another femicide in a series as a consequence of gender-based violence against women, which, despite numerous warnings, still does not receive an adequate institutional response.
We are particularly concerned about the allegations that the perpetrator had previously sent threats to the victim. If this information is confirmed, it is clear that it is a serious system failure. In such circumstances, the responsibility cannot and must not rest solely on the executor, the competent institutions that did not act in a timely manner are also responsible.
The fact that, at the time of writing this statement, the suspect is still not deprived of his liberty, that he is armed, and that there is a five-year-old child with him is even more disturbing. This situation represents a serious security risk and indicates a complete breakdown of the system’s preventive and protective mechanisms.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a repeating pattern that reminds us of the case of Nizama Hećimović, where there were also earlier threats and obvious failures to protect the victim. Therefore, this behavior becomes a pattern of behavior and action of a dysfunctional victim protection system.
The state and its institutions bear responsibility for every femicide that could have been prevented. Ignoring threats, inadequate risk assessment and lack of timely protection directly contribute to tragic outcomes.
We demand an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation of all the circumstances of this case, including concrete determination of individual and institutional responsibility. Also, we are looking for urgent measures to improve the protection of women, including a more effective response from the police, judiciary and centers for social work.
We remind you that no threat must be ignored and that protecting the life and safety of women must be an absolute priority.
We call on all competent authorities to act decisively, and the entire society not to turn away from violence.
The organization Glas žene will continue to insist on responsibility, justice and systemic changes so that such crimes never happen again, the association announced.
