Jandroković: Goli Otok symbolizes evil of communist Yugoslavia

Gordan Jandroković, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, visited the notorious Goli Otok island, a former Yugoslav political prison, to commemorate the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes. He declared that the island stands as a potent symbol of the atrocities perpetrated during the era of communist Yugoslavia.

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Goli Otok is one of the places that symbolizes the crimes of communist Yugoslavia; tens of thousands of people were persecuted here, many killed, and the regime treated its opponents with particular cruelty.

Speaking at the site, Jandroković condemned what he described as the romanticization of Yugoslavia, asserting that it was a dictatorship and a totalitarian regime. He highlighted that the regime eliminated political opponents through killing, persecution, and job loss, stifling freedom of speech and economic activity. "Goli Otok is one of the places that symbolizes the crimes of communist Yugoslavia; tens of thousands of people were persecuted here, many killed, and the regime treated its opponents with particular cruelty," he stated.

Jandroković stressed the importance of remembering the victims of Nazism, Fascism, and Communism, noting that these totalitarian and authoritarian regimes caused immense suffering across Europe in the 20th century. He emphasized that Croatia and the Croatian people experienced all three forms of totalitarianism, with many Croats losing dignity or family members due to their beliefs or identity.

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Yugoslavia was a dictatorship, it was a totalitarian regime, which eliminated its political opponents in various ways, from killing, persecution to job loss, there was no freedom of speech or freedom of political or economic activity.

The Parliament Speaker highlighted that the commemoration, organized jointly with the Primoransko-goranska County Assembly, aimed to honor victims from all regimes. "We remember the victims of all totalitarian regimes; we do not want to divide victims, but to express our respect to all who suffered," he said. Jandroković underscored the significance of this remembrance for future generations, ensuring they understand the importance of living in a free and democratic society where human dignity is respected, unlike the oppressive systems of the past.

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We remember the victims of all totalitarian regimes; we do not want to divide victims, but to express our respect to all who suffered.