The marchers started out from Tuzla and reached Zvornik, covering about 30 kilometres on the first day. They were moving along the same route that had been used by thousands of Bosniak men, women and children attempting to reach the territory under Bosnian army control after Bosnian Serb forces overran the UN safe haven of Srebrenica in July 1995.

Among the marchers was US ambassador Patrick Moon, who said that it was a chance to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and to join their families and friends in carrying a message of peace.

The marchers are expected to reach Srebrenica on Tuesday, a day before a ceremony that will mark the 17th anniversary of the genocide. After a memorial service, the remains of 520 genocide victims who have been identified this year will be formally reburied at the Potocari cemetery.