WITHDRAW DISCRIMINATORY LAW ON CEMETERIES IN CROATIA

BANJA LUKA, MAY 6 /SRNA/ - The Association of Republika Srpska Women Victims of War supports the position of the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organisation /BORS/ that the Srpska institutions demand from the Croatian authorities the withdrawal of the new Law on Cemeteries, which foresees and legalizes the demolition of Serb gravestones on the territory of Croatia.

"This law is unacceptable and discriminatory against Serbs because the goal is to permanently remove traces that Serbs lived on the territory of Croatia," said the head of the Association of Republika Srpska Women Victims of War Božica Živković-Rajilić. According to her, expelling Serbs and destroying everything with Serb prefix is not enough for Croatia, which now wants to remove the traces of Serbs existence. Rajilić emphasizes that Republika Srpska, unlike Croatia, inherits anti-fascist values and does not exercise force over the dead. "What Croatia is doing and intending to remove Serb gravestones is proof of the fascist ideology in that country," Rajilić emphasized. She pointed out that because of the hatred towards Serbs and the persecution of the Serb population, huge areas in Croatia are deserted and neglected. "Now that space is being filled by Asian people. Since Croatia does not recognise its neighbours, the question is whether they will be in their country in half a century. What comes around goes around," said Rajilić. The Croatian Parliament adopted the Law on Cemeteries, which provides for the removal of Serb gravestones erected after May 30, 1990, otherwise fines of up to EUR 5,000 will follow. The Republika Srpska War Veterans Organisation, if this disputed law is not withdrawn in Croatia, will demand that the authorities of Srpska respond adequately in relation to gravestones on the territory of Srpska dedicated to Croat units or individuals who committed crimes against Serbs during the past war, especially memorials that glorify criminals and crimes, and insult Serb victims.