Commemoration of Day of Remembrance for victims of Ustasha crimes in NDH held in Donja Gradina

The Donja Gradina Memorial Site served as the backdrop for a solemn commemoration of the victims of the Ustasha genocide, a dark chapter in the history of the Independent State of Croatia during World War II. This significant event brought together leaders from Serbia and Republika Srpska, underscoring the shared historical memory and the enduring commitment to honoring those who perished in the Jasenovac concentration camp and its associated execution grounds.

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The commemoration of the Day of Remembrance for victims of the Ustasha genocide in the Jasenovac concentration camp and its largest execution site, Donja Gradina, during World War II in the puppet Independent State of Croatia (NDH), has begun at the Donja Gradina Memorial Site near Kozarska Dubica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, along with other high-ranking officials from Republika Srpska, including President Sinisa Karan and Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, highlights the deep connection and solidarity between Serbia and Republika Srpska. The joint commemoration by the governments of Serbia and Republika Srpska emphasizes their unified stance in remembering the victims and confronting the legacy of genocide.

The ceremony, which included the laying of wreaths at the Topole mass grave field and a memorial service led by Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije, was a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed. The declaration of April 19 as a Day of Mourning by the Government of Republika Srpska further solidifies the importance of this remembrance.

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The Government of Republika Srpska has declared April 19 a Day of Mourning to mark the Day of Remembrance for victims of the Ustasha genocide in the Jasenovac concentration camp and its largest execution site, Donja Gradina, in the NDH from 1941 to 1945.

From our perspective at N1, this commemoration is not merely an act of remembrance but a crucial affirmation of identity and a testament to the resilience of our people. It is vital that these historical truths are preserved and passed on, ensuring that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten and that such horrors are never repeated. The participation of international figures like Jehuda Kaplun, special envoy of the U.S. President for combating antisemitism, and Russian Ambassador Igor Kalabukhov, also signifies the global recognition of these historical injustices.

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The Day of Remembrance for victims of genocide against Serbs, Jews, and Roma in the NDH from 1941 to 1945, as well as the 81st anniversary of the breakout of prisoners from the Jasenovac concentration camp, is jointly commemorated by the governments of Republika Srpska and Serbia.