"When small hands join together, anything is possible" – this motto is affirmed by a large number of activists who daily fight against injustice and in favor of protecting those who cannot fight for themselves. Sara Tuševljak, a girl from East Sarajevo, raised her voice together with her friends to protect nature, specifically the Kasindolska River where she grew up. She couldn't and didn't want to watch as small hydroelectric power plants sprouted from the river, destroying all the beauty that a river can offer. Thus, by resisting the investor, Sara became an ecological heroine and activist whom everyone can look up to.
Behind you and your colleagues is a great struggle and, it can be freely said, a great victory? How did the whole story begin?
"The active fight for the Kasindolska River began in mid-2020 after learning that the investor was gathering the necessary permits for the construction of the second and third small hydroelectric power plants on the Kasindolska River. Prior to this, the first SHPP 'Podivič' was built and started operating in 2018. Although a group of citizens fought against the construction of this SHPP and the inspection halted the works due to the lack of certain permits, the investor resumed construction after collecting and submitting the documentation, and SHPP 'Podivič' was completed. Over almost two years, we could witness with our own eyes the negative consequences for the Kasindolska River, its ecosystem, and the surrounding environment. For this reason, we decided to fight against the construction of the other two SHPPs on the Kasindolska River and to do everything in our power to protect it from further destruction."
Who was your greatest support during the fight?
"I am very grateful because from the first day of my fight, I have had and still have great support primarily from my family and closest friends. What I must especially emphasize is that my greatest advantage and strength has been walking through the entire struggle alongside another young woman, my friend and fellow activist Sunčica Kovačević. Together, we navigate through the ups and downs and find ways to protect the river where we grew up, created and still creating the most beautiful memories. We drew and received a lot of support, inspiration, and advice from all fellow activists, ordinary people like ourselves, who stood up and defended the rivers in their local communities; rivers that mean life to us. We are all gathered in the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Regional Alliance 'Let's defend the rivers of the Balkans'. These are organizations that have existed for many years and fight for the protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina's natural riches and they could guide us in the further steps of our fight. We were also helped by anti-corruption organizations such as CCI (Centers for Civil Initiatives). They supported us from the very beginning of our fight."
It's hard to imagine a young person daring to oppose investors who have the support of local authorities. What guided you during the fight, and did you ever consider giving up?
"I have never looked at people on the opposite side, namely the investors, that way. In my mind, it's very simple - they are on the wrong side and need to be stopped. The destruction of the river canyon, designated for protection by the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Srpska, cannot be justified for the economic gain of a company and a handful of individuals behind it. Natural wealth, a common good, is being destroyed for selfish interests. What guides me during the struggle is my love for the Kasindolska River, for the peace in my soul that I feel when I am beside it. It's the thought that I want my children to play by the Kasindolska River tomorrow, in its canyon in its unchanged form, freely flowing, rather than telling them memories of how it used to be. Because that is true love and connection, I never even thought of giving up. With all my being and from the depths of my soul, I feel that this is the right thing to do, and I will never give up the fight. I can't wait to defend and protect it!"
What was the hardest thing you faced in that process?
"The hardest part was coping with the demands that were constantly appearing in front of us, and we had no idea what they were, as we entered this fight to protect the river at a very young age. It was difficult to organize and implement a civic initiative according to the Law to make it valid, knowing that nobody in our town had done it that way before us, and to articulate clear demands that we are seeking. It was difficult to appear for the first time on television, in a live program, then at a press conference, etc. But all of this led us to where we are now – the construction of the second SHPP was stopped in 2021. That happened after the first court rulings at the District Court in Banja Luka. Three years later, although the legal battle is still ongoing, the SHPP has not resumed operations, and we are striving to do everything in our power to ensure it never does."
It often happens that activists face lawsuits through which investors seek to intimidate and silence activists and the public. You found yourself in a situation where the investor filed not just one, but several SLAPP lawsuits against you. What is the number of lawsuits in question, and what do SLAPP lawsuits entail?
"To be honest, I stopped counting. The first pre-lawsuit warnings arrived for both me and Sunčica at the end of 2021, which turned into defamation lawsuits at the beginning of 2022. After that, I received another warning that escalated into a lawsuit, so currently, proceedings regarding these lawsuits are underway at the Basic Court in Sokolac. After that, we received warnings regarding the organization of an exhibition celebrating two years of fighting for the Kasindolska River. These warnings stated that if we did not cease all activities, they (the investors) would be forced to use all legally available means against us. Recently, we received more warnings, but we truly do not pay attention to them.
SLAPP lawsuits, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, are civil lawsuits filed against individuals or organizations who publicly speak on matters of public interest. Their aim is censorship, intimidation, and stifling public criticism by burdening them with legal proceedings and defense costs until they give up on criticism or opposition."
The activist battle you led was quite exhausting and challenging. What motivated you throughout the entire process, and what were the reactions of the people around you?
"I am motivated by love for the river, for nature. When it's toughest, I go to the canyon of the Kasindolska River to replenish myself with positive energy, to regain my strength, and then I move forward. People's reactions varied, both positive and negative. Negative reactions were mostly driven by fear in people. They told me - 'how can you fight against the system, you're so young, you can't do it, what will your future be if you turn against them now?', etc. However, what people, it seems, still can't understand is that I don't care who is on the opposite side. I'm not afraid to stand up and say if something isn't right and if things are not being done according to the law. What scares me much more, and what makes my skin crawl, is the thought of seeing the Kasindolska River flowing through pipes in a completely devastated canyon."
Do you think that people's awareness of activism has developed in our country in recent years, and how important is activism in today's world?
"I think awareness is growing day by day, that more and more people are rising up and fighting against injustice. We are eager for change and we rise to show by example that change is possible."
What would you say to your peers and even to those older individuals who are facing injustice in their community and don't know what they can do? Is it worth getting involved in activism, and why?
"I would tell everyone that if you are not satisfied with something, if injustice is evident, and you cannot sit idly by and wait for something to change, then be the agent of that change. Just start and live your truth, fight for your genuine values. It always pays off to fight for your truth, against injustice. If nothing else, it pays off in the reflection in the mirror, in peace of mind, and with oneself."
We believe that Sara Tuševljak is one of many young individuals in our country who are ready and determined to rise up and raise their voices loudly and clearly against injustice and lawlessness. With young people like Sara and her colleagues who have stood by her side in the fight for a more beautiful and healthier future, we can hope that the future of our country will indeed be - more beautiful and healthier!
