“Today, from this memorial assembly, we once again send the message that crimes must not be forgotten, even when they are forgiven! It is our duty to the descendants of the victims of Jasenovac and a covenant to make sure the horrific crimes committed more than seven decades ago never happen again”, said National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojkovic.

She said that the testimony, documents and photos exhibited here remind us of the monstrous suffering of the innocent victims, and that the very names – Jasenovac, Stara Gradiska, Sisak, Loborgrad, Jastrebarsko – in the collective memory of the victimized people, Serbs, Jews and Roma, are a dreadful memory of the eradication of entire families and devastation of hearths, which cannot be forgotten because of their horrific scale.

That is why Serbia, she stressed, is obliged to recognize and speak of the rising extremism in our neighbourhood, stating that she must regretfully note the efforts to relativize the crimes committed by the Independent State of Croatia on the one hand, and on the other arouse Ustasha ideology through worrying examples such as the plaque bearing the Ustasha salute in Jasenovac and the attempt to rehabilitate Aloysius Stepinac.

“That is why a clear response by the entire free Europe to any attempt to stir up the evil that once the whole word rose up again is so important today”, said Gojkovic.

“In the name of today’s and future generations, Serbia is ready to pacify the horrible memory of the numerous victims not through revenge and hate, but freedom and progress which will ensure peace, stability, democracy and development. By seeking justice for the victims on the behalf of future generations, we build a better society and better region”, said the National Assembly Speaker.

Israeli Ambassador in Belgrade H.E. Alona Fisher Kamm said that some of the most horrific crimes in recent history took place in Jasenovac death camp. She reminded the assembly that 6 million Jews, Serbs and Roma, as well as political and religious dissenters, gave their lives to keep their dignity and national identity.

The Assembly was also addressed by Rabbi Dr Abraham Krieger, founder and director of the Shem Olam Holocaust Institute, who announced the exhibition in Jerusalem in October, while Prof. Dr Gideon Greif, director of the exhibition and expert team, globally renowned expert for the Holocaust and Auschwitz, said that our people should continue to fight together for the historic truth of Jasenovac.

Jelena Buhac Radojcic and Gojko Roncevic, who had survived the camp as children, also spoke at the assembly.

The exhibition is the result of the research of the international expert group GH7-Stop Revisionism from Israel to raise awareness on the need to oppose any racial, religious or ideological exclusivity and discrimination of human rights.