Lužac, a wound that does not heal: 69 Victims, still waiting for justice

On this day 35 years ago, the defense of the Vukovar settlement of Lužac was broken, marking the beginning of the final phase of the Battle of Vukovar. During the attack and occupation, 69 Croatian defenders and civilians were killed, and to this day, no one has been held accountable for the crimes committed. The families of the victims continue to live with painful memories, waiting for the truth and justice.

On November 2, 1991, members of the JNA and Serbian paramilitary units occupied Lužac and reached the Danube. This cut off communication between Vukovar and Borovo Naselje, leaving the city divided into two parts. It was one of the key moments that preceded the final collapse of Vukovar's defense.

"I lost my husband and his parents here. Even after 35 years, it doesn't get any easier"

Among those whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy of Lužac is Melita Antolović, who lost her husband Ilija, a Croatian defender, and his parents Delfa and Jozo Antolović during the wartime suffering.

"I lost my husband here, who was a Croatian defender, and his parents, Delfa and Jozo Antolović. My husband's name was Ilija Antolović. And here we are, 35 years later, in the exact same place. It doesn't get easier, it is deeply shaking," Melita Antolović testified.

Her words bear witness to a pain that does not pass even after more than three decades, but also to the lasting suffering of families who are still waiting for justice for their loved ones.

Vukovar Continues to Seek Justice for its Victims

Even 35 years after the tragedy of Lužac, those responsible for the crimes against Croatian defenders and civilians have not been brought to justice.

The Mayor of Vukovar, Marijan Pavliček, pointed out that Serbia is expected to open its archives, especially those that could help shed light on the fate of missing persons.

"Unfortunately, even today we are seeking justice for them. I believe that the first steps of the new Serbian government will be to open the archives, primarily those related to our missing persons, but also the issue of war reparations for inmates of Serbian concentration camps," Pavliček stated.

He emphasized that Vukovar, as a city that suffered great wartime destruction, expects concrete steps in resolving these issues.

"As a victim city, we expect this and we have a right to it. Future relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia will be measured by this," concluded the mayor of Vukovar.

Thirty-five years after the fall of Lužac, the memory of the 69 killed Croatian defenders and civilians does not fade. For their families, time has not erased the pain, and the search for justice continues.