PLANNED COMMEMORATION OF 105th HVO BRIGADE IS UNACCEPTABLE

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 8 /SRNA/ – The Republika Srpska Veterans' Organization /BORS/ has said it is unacceptable to organize a ceremonial academy, reception, and similar activities announced for April 11 in Garevac near Modriča on the occasion of the anniversary of the 105th HVO Brigade, calling for urgent amendments to laws to address the issue of disputed commemorations.

BORS condemned the announced attempt to mark the anniversary, saying it insults Serb victims and could be seen as a provocation against the Serb people, Republika Srpska and Serb veterans who liberated the area from HVO units. "For BORS, it has never been disputed to organize religious services and pay respects to fallen members of any people, but organizing a ceremonial academy, reception, and similar activities, as announced for the day of the 105th HVO Brigade, is completely unacceptable," the statement stressed. They pointed to the frequent occurrence of controversial commemorations, reminding of a similar attempt recently in Derventa, while events have also been announced in Pelagićevo and other Serb areas, primarily in Posavina. "This problem will not be resolved until Republika Srpska adopts a law on cemeteries and funeral services, as well as a law that sanctions individuals who promote and glorify certain ideologies through public communication and in public places," the BORS statement emphasized. BORS demanded for these laws to be amended and adopted as soon as possible, noting that on March 17 the Republika Srpska National Assembly adopted a resolution giving a 60-day deadline to complete this process. They reminded that more than a year ago they submitted an initiative to Republika Srpska institutions requesting regulation of this area, adding that these issues could have been prevented earlier. The President of the Organization for the Search of Fallen Soldiers and Missing Civilians from Brod, Marko Grabovac, previously told SRNA that a gathering of former members of the 105th HVO Brigade is planned for April 11 in Modriča, and that Republika Srpska institutions should ban it, or veterans' associations will prevent it themselves.