Croatian state leadership and minority representatives pay tribute to victims in Jasenovac

(Patria) - In a column of remembrance from the Memorial Museum to the Flower monument, where instead of wreaths they laid a single flower each, the Croatian state leadership, representatives of national minorities, anti-fascists and surviving prisoners paid tribute to the victims of the Ustasha camp Jasenovac.

All those who attended the commemoration marking the 79th anniversary of the break-out of the last prisoners from the Jasenovac concentration camp walked along a path made of wooden railway sleepers on which prisoners were transported to the camp.

Roses at the foot of the monument by architect Bogdan Bogdanović were laid and tribute paid to the victims by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia Orsat Miljenić with delegations.

The commemoration was also attended by the leaders of the Roma association Kali Sara, the Association of Anti-Fascist Fighters and Anti-Fascists, and the Serb National Council, representatives of the families of the victims, as well as surviving prisoners. Also present were other guests, diplomatic representatives, as well as representatives of political parties, institutions, associations and cities.

"Once again we have come to condemn the totalitarian system, the worst crimes committed during the Second World War, to pay tribute to the innocent victims who suffered here in the camp and in other places. Today we came after Croatia chaired the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in the previous year, and the theme of our presidency was the future of remembrance, because we are slowly reaching a situation where the number of survivors is decreasing. We achieved consensus on a framework document that will determine the direction of work on remembrance policy. It is extremely important that this remembrance policy be incorporated into our education system so that young people can receive truthful and accurate information in time and can form informed opinions in the future," said Plenković.

Representatives of the Coordination of the Jewish Community did not participate in the official protocol this year either, but laid a wreath before the start of the program, as did the leaders of two political parties, the SDP and Možemo.

As part of the commemoration, a musical program was performed, excerpts from the testimonies of surviving prisoners were read, and prayers were led on behalf of Orthodox, Jewish, Catholic and Islamic believers.

Towards the end of the Second World War, on April 22, 1945, 600 Jasenovac prisoners launched a break-out, and just over 100 reached freedom. The remaining prisoners, who due to weakness and illness did not participate in the break-out, were killed and burned along with the camp facilities.

In the 1,337 days of the camp's existence, according to data established so far, more than 83,000 people were killed. During almost four years of existence, the Ustasha camp Jasenovac was a place of suffering, torment and pain for numerous prisoners, men, women and children, Serbs, Roma, Jews, but also political prisoners, Croats, Bosniaks, Slovenes and members of other peoples.