Sitara Thalia Ambrosio

Photojournalist and Visual Storyteller.

The People behind the Border: External Border in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Focus: Documentary, Multimedia, News, Photography, Foreign, International News, Freelance, Humanitarian, Life, Impact, Assignments, Human Rights, Multimedia Journalist, Magazine, Editorial, Publications, Newspapers, Storyteller, Climate, News Reporter, Visual Editor, Political Journalism, Digital Journalism, Print Journalism, War, Environmental Stories, International Stories, Digital Media, Portrait Photography, Social Justice, Reportage, Visual Journalist, Visual Storyteller

Clients: Die Zeit , Brand eins, NZZ am Sonntag , WOZ die Wochenzeitung , RND

The Afghan refugee Danny (18) a...ted. Both live in the building.

The Afghan refugee Danny (18) and another man are standing in the front stairwell of the ruins of the "Dom Penzionera" retirement home, which was never completed. Both live in the building.

One of the run-down rooms in th...nny sleeps with 8 other people.

One of the run-down rooms in the abandoned building "Don Penzionera", where Danny sleeps with 8 other people.

Danny, 18, from Afghanistan, li... money and the phones"

Danny, 18, from Afghanistan, lives in the unfinished retirement home "Don Penzionera" in the center of Bihać. He shares his room with seven friends.

Translation of the letter:

"We walked into Croatia, from what was earlier the border to Bosnia. We walked for 12 days to get into Slovenia. Not even four hours had passed, before we arrived in Slovenia - until the Slovenian police arrested us and handed us over to the Croatian police. And then we were handed over to the Bosnian police. The police took everything - the money and the phones"

Danny pours tea that he has pre...is neither heating nor windows.

Danny pours tea that he has previously made on a homemade stove. The temperature in the ruined building where he sleeps is below zero. There is neither heating nor windows.

Laundry in one of the rooms of ...ht even to -12 degrees Celsius.

Laundry in one of the rooms of an abandoned paper factory hung up to dry. Due to low temperatures the water dripping from the clothes is freezing on the floor. In February, temperatures regularly fall below freezing point, at night even to -12 degrees Celsius.

Two young men that also live in... them to have a little hygiene.

Two young men that also live in "Dom Penzionera", washing themselves in the nearby river "Una" on one of the first warmer days in February 2021. This is the only way for them to have a little hygiene.

Naseebullah, 19, from Afghanist...g for the government."

Naseebullah, 19, from Afghanistan, lives in a room together with Qudrat, Jahadullah and more than 20 other young men in an abandoned paper factory in Bihać.

Translation of the letter:

"I was a road cyclist in the Afghan national team for three years and now I plan to continue cycling here in Europe. In Afghanistan I received a monthly amount of 1000 Afghani as a road cyclist, with which I could not cover my daily needs. That is almost 10 euros. And besides that, I had no other opportunities aside from sports. And day by day the security situation in Afghanistan is getting worse. And the Taliban also killed my father because he was working for the government."

A group of young refugees from ...ide an abandoned paper factory.

A group of young refugees from Afghanistan, who share a room together with Naseebullah, gather around a small fire inside an abandoned paper factory.

A prayer chain lies on a pile o...ees outside the official camps.

A prayer chain lies on a pile of old mattresses and blankets. The pile serves as a sleeping place in a run-down ruin for refugees outside the official camps.

The building "Dom Penz... running water and electricity.

The building "Dom Penzionera" was once supposed to be a home for the elderly, today it is one of the ruins where refugees live outside official camps. There is no access to running water and electricity.

Qudrat, 17, from Afghanistan, l..., to rebuild my life."

Qudrat, 17, from Afghanistan, lives together with Naseebullah, Jahadullah and more than 20 other young men in a room in an abandoned paper factory in Bihać.

Translation of the letter:

"I was an athlete in Afghanistan and played sports for 8 years. The security situation has completely worsened in Afghanistan. Now people are being killed every day. That's why I came to Europe, to rebuild my life."

A group of approximaetly 30 peo...ropean Union - if they make it.

A group of approximaetly 30 people start to hike from Bihác towards the Croatian border. Among them are families with children. Twelve to sixteen days of walking lay ahead of them, to reach Italy and attempt to apply for asylum in the European Union - if they make it.

"Paznja" (eng...ffected countries in the world.

"Paznja" (engl.: "Attention") is written on a sign, just 400 meters away, from the official refugee camp Lipa. The area, where refugees are housed by the state, is far from any civilization and contaminated with landmines from the Bosnian War. During the war (1992-1995) millions of mines were laid and a lot of ammunition was left behind. Because of this, Bosnia-Herzegovina is currently one of the most mine-affected countries in the world.

Musafa (right) and his friend r... forty-five minutes of walking.

Musafa (right) and his friend run across snowy fields on the outskirts of the town of Bihać. The ruin in which they are sheltering with other people on the move, can be seen in the background. To get to the city center, it takes at least forty-five minutes of walking.

One of the smaller, abandoned h...ugees seek shelter in the ruin.

One of the smaller, abandoned houses in the mountains on the outskirts of Bihać. Five refugees seek shelter in the ruin.

Hassan and his cousin Ubaid (fL...rces of light during nighttime.

Hassan and his cousin Ubaid (fLTR), both from Pakistan, sit around an open firepit in "Don Penzionera" in Bihać and cook. The flashlight of their phone is one of the few sources of light during nighttime.

Hassan, 24, from Pakistan, live...ns etc, that help me."

Hassan, 24, from Pakistan, lives in the unfinished retirement home "Don Penzionera" in the center of Bihać, in a small room just under the roof.

Translation of the letter:

"My name is Wali Hassan, 24 years old, from Pakistan. I started my journey from Pakistan hoping to build a good, prosperous life for my family. I started working hard for a year in Turkey with hard work. I worked just hard enough to be able to survive. After a year, I went from Turkey to Greece, from there to Macedonia, then to Serbia. I tried to go to Croatia three times but was deported to Bosnia again. The journey from Pakistan to Bosnia was very difficult. I walked most of the time, sometimes in the woods, sometimes dry on the plains and in the desert, often hungry and thirsty. I hope for a good life and to help my family. I still live in an old run-down building with no electricity, water or amenities. Only sometimes an organization helps with several cups, teapots, spoons etc, that help me."

A refugee sits on the stairs of...der police to infected scabies.

A refugee sits on the stairs of "Don Penzionera", after returning from an attempt to cross the border into Croatia by foot. His arm is in a cast and he waits to hear back from doctors if he suffered a fracture. The medical supply for refugees in the run-down squats is very poor. By law most volunteers and supporters are forbidden to help with medical conditions. Injuries vary from marks of brutal beatings by border police to infected scabies.

The Pakistani refugee Hassan (2... out, spend time and do sports.

The Pakistani refugee Hassan (24), his cousin Ubaid and a man, that wishes to stay anonymous, stand on the roof of "Don Penzionera". Everday the inhabitants of the ruin use the uncovered upper floor as a terrace to hang out, spend time and do sports.

Ubaid is throwing a ball while ...p;quot; in the center of Bihać.

Ubaid is throwing a ball while playing cricket with homemade wooden bats on the roof of the building called "Dom Penzionera" in the center of Bihać.

Nooruddin, 23, from Afghanistan...untries will help me."

Nooruddin, 23, from Afghanistan, lives in an abandoned paper factory in Bihać.

Translation of the letter:

"My whole family is waiting to be financially supported by me, but at the moment I am spending my life here in a very bad condition. This does not affect me alone, but also all Afghan citizens here. The whole world knows about the situation in Afghanistan from before to now. 40 years ago Russia invaded Afghanistan, as a result Afghanistan and its whole population suffered damage. Now I wish Europe to help me and also my country, so that I can also have a normal life in this world. Three years ago I left my country, Afghanistan, because of many difficulties. Of these three years, I spent one year in Iran and then one year in Turkey. After that, I decided to go to Europe. Now for one year, I have been spending a difficult life in Bosnia. I have made my way three times to get to Europe. At the border between Croatia and Slovenia, I was arrested by the Croatian police and deported in a bad condition. They took away my clothes, shoes, a cell phone and a backpack with my belongings. Currently, my financial situation is miserable and worrisome. Now I hope that the United Nations and European countries will help me."

Ubaid visti the small kiosk, in...ion of aid work in the country.

Ubaid visti the small kiosk, in the center of Bihać, right next "Don Penzionera". A lot of refugees come here, to charge their phones and refill water bottles. The owner warmly welcomes them. Most of them affectionately call him "Baba", which means "father". His real name remains a mystery. Almost every evening, the refugees spend time together with Baba. He helps them, despite the criminalization of aid work in the country.

The Džamija Islamskog pedago&am...even use public transportation.

The Džamija Islamskog pedagoškog fakulteta mosque in the town of Bihać in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mosques are one of the few places where refugees are tolerated. In general, refugees in the Una-Sana canton are not allowed to enter restaurants and cafés or even use public transportation.

Portrait of Saida (name changed...e snowy fields in January 2022.

Portrait of Saida (name changed), a Bihać resident who helps refugees despite criminalization of aid work, standing at her window, looking onto the snowy fields in January 2022.

Khan (name changed) shows the l...peared and most likely drowned.

Khan (name changed) shows the last picture he shared with Ijaz (second person from the right) while trying to cross the border into Croatia. At noon on December 28th, the group of five men attempted to cross the Stara Novska river in Croatia, wading and swimming. Of five young men, only four made it to the other side. Ijaz K. from Pakistan, that could not swim, was ripped away by the floods, disappeared and most likely drowned.

Cemetery on the outskirts of Bi...ten on many graves of refugees.

Cemetery on the outskirts of Bihać. Some refugees, that lost their life on their way to Europe, are burried here. Often the identities of the dead are hard to determine. Therefore „Unknown Face“ is written on many graves of refugees.

Jahadullah, 18, from Afghanista... completely worsened."

Jahadullah, 18, from Afghanistan, lives in a room with more than 20 people in an abandoned paper factory in Bihać.

Translation of the letter:

"I came here to achieve a goal, because there is a war going on in our country. Our people are being killed and day by day the security situation is getting worse. One of my brothers was also killed. For this reason, I am going to Europe to have a better life. Meanwhile, the security situation in Afghanistan has completely worsened."

A sticker which says "...upported by the European Union.

A sticker which says "provided by the European Union" lays in the mud on the outskirts of Bihać. It is normally found on boxes with supplies provided by IOM (International Organisation for Migration), which is financially supported by the European Union.

At 7:30 in the morning, police ... resquatted the concrete shell.

At 7:30 in the morning, police special forces clear two of the squated buildings from their inhabitants - refugees seeking shelter. After clearing the old paper factory, the abandoned building „Don Penzionera“ is evicted. The young men living here are rounded up like high profile criminals and forced to sit on the floor in freezing cold weather. They were not left time to gather their belongings, before being involuntarily moved to the official camp "Lipa". Just hours later they resquatted the concrete shell.

The ruin of an empty building, ...hing for new places to live in.

The ruin of an empty building, that refugees used as a shelter, is fenced off by Bosnian authorities. Since May 2021, several squatted buildings have been cleared by the police. The refugees sheltering in them are always searching for new places to live in.

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Thumbnail of The Afghan refugee Danny (18) an_eted. Both live in the building.

Thumbnail of One of the run-down rooms in the_anny sleeps with 8 other people.

Thumbnail of Danny, 18, from Afghanistan, liv_e money and the phones"

Thumbnail of Danny pours tea that he has prev_ is neither heating nor windows.

Thumbnail of Laundry in one of the rooms of a_ght even to -12 degrees Celsius.

Thumbnail of Two young men that also live in _r them to have a little hygiene.

Thumbnail of Naseebullah, 19, from Afghanista_ng for the government."

Thumbnail of A group of young refugees from A_side an abandoned paper factory.

Thumbnail of A prayer chain lies on a pile of_gees outside the official camps.

Thumbnail of The building "Dom Penzi_o running water and electricity.

Thumbnail of Qudrat, 17, from Afghanistan, li_e, to rebuild my life."

Thumbnail of A group of approximaetly 30 peop_uropean Union - if they make it.

Thumbnail of "Paznja" (engl_affected countries in the world.

Thumbnail of Musafa (right) and his friend ru_t forty-five minutes of walking.

Thumbnail of One of the smaller, abandoned ho_fugees seek shelter in the ruin.

Thumbnail of Hassan and his cousin Ubaid (fLT_urces of light during nighttime.

Thumbnail of Hassan, 24, from Pakistan, lives_ons etc, that help me."

Thumbnail of A refugee sits on the stairs of _rder police to infected scabies.

Thumbnail of The Pakistani refugee Hassan (24_g out, spend time and do sports.

Thumbnail of Ubaid is throwing a ball while p_mp;quot; in the center of Bihać.

Thumbnail of Nooruddin, 23, from Afghanistan,_ountries will help me."

Thumbnail of Ubaid visti the small kiosk, in _tion of aid work in the country.

Thumbnail of The Džamija Islamskog pedago&_ even use public transportation.

Thumbnail of Portrait of Saida (name changed)_he snowy fields in January 2022.

Thumbnail of Khan (name changed) shows the la_ppeared and most likely drowned.

Thumbnail of Cemetery on the outskirts of Bih_tten on many graves of refugees.

Thumbnail of Jahadullah, 18, from Afghanistan_s completely worsened."

Thumbnail of A sticker which says "p_supported by the European Union.

Thumbnail of At 7:30 in the morning, police s_y resquatted the concrete shell.

Thumbnail of The ruin of an empty building, t_ching for new places to live in.

Public Project

The People behind the Border: External Border in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Copyright Sitara Thalia Ambrosio 2024

Updated Sep 2022

Topics Documentary, Dreams, Essays, Hope, Human Rights, Immigration, Journalism, Migration, Multimedia, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Refugees, Violence

“The people behind the border” by Sitara Thalia Ambrosio

Far from the public gaze, Bihać, a small town in north-western Bosnia-Herzegovina, has become a focal point of migration to Europe. Since February 2021 approximately 300 to 400 young refugees live in several abandoned buildings across Bihać, stranded during the attempt to cross into the European Union. People search for alternatives to official camps that are overcrowded, in horrendous conditions and set up in remote areas.

In 2021 the two biggest self-organized shelters in Bihać are an old paper factory and an unfinished retirement home, called „Dom Penzionera“. The shells are in a very bad condition with no windows, electricity or running water. Heating and cooking is only possible with open fire. The inhabitants are mostly left on their own, as aid work is criminalized, with just a few inhabitants of Bihać and international activists secretly supporting them. Most of the young men that live here have tried to reach Croatia numerous times. Often they are stopped by the Croatian authorities and violently deported back to Bosnia. Some even report, having gone to “the game”, as they call the attempt to cross the border, up to thirteen times. Very little is known about the people forced to live behind the border, their fears, what they experienced and what they wish for.

Therefore, the concept of the project is, to let the people who are affected, participate in the representation of the situation. Handwritten letters are juxtaposed with portraits in front of a neutral background, so the poor conditions they live in do not distract from their faces and words. This is an attempt to counteract the dehumanization they are exposed to every day. The people were given as much time as they wanted to decide what and how much they wished to share. The surrounding images additionally show the reality of their everyday life.

“The people behind the border” is a long-term documentary project and an attempt to shine light on the harsh conditions that people face, attempting to enter the European Union.The photographic essay was created in connection with a multimedia project (KANDVALA) that has been awarded with the renowned “Grimme Online Award” in 2022. The pictures were taken in February 2021 and January 2022.

Sitara Thalia Ambrosio

Oct 20, 2022

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