Jasenovac victims honored at commemoration

Wednesday marked the 81st anniversary of the prisoner escape from the Jasenovac concentration camp. As World War II was drawing to a close, on April 22, 1945, around 600 prisoners attempted a breakout. Fewer than 100 survived. 

They, along with thousands who perished in the Ustaša-run camp, were commemorated at the Jasenovac Memorial.

Survivor Mađo Zelić recalled the conditions inside the camp.

“In the morning, they would pull up in a car and say: ‘Let’s go for a ride.’ They’d pile people inside and you’d never see them again. Inside, people slept on the floor. There were no beds,” Zelić said.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said the government continues to condemn the crimes of the Ustaša regime and stressed the importance of remembrance.

“On this occasion, we again condemn the crimes committed by the Ustaša regime and express our deepest reverence for the victims. We also want to underscore the importance of nurturing the practice of remembrance for the victims of the Ustaša regime as well as those of other totalitarian regimes of the 20th century,” Plenković said.

Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković said the commemoration reflects broad political respect for the victims.

“The commemoration in Jasenovac is once again being held under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament. I am very pleased to see so many members here from both the majority and opposition. It shows that we respect the victims, empathize with the families of those killed here, and also condemn the Ustaša regime for committing these crimes,” Jandroković said.

MP Milorad Pupovac of the Independent Democratic Serb Party said it is equally important to actively confront denial and distortion of historical crimes.

“As important as it is not to forget, it is equally important to respond, to push back on those who negate, denigrate, and disparage the memory of those who perished here,” Pupovac said.