The commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the suffering and persecution of Croats in Bugojno during the war began on Sunday with the laying of wreaths and the lighting of candles at the memorial in the Catholic city cemetery in Bugojno.
The commemorative program was attended by the delegation of the Croatian National Assembly (HNS) of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by President Dragan Čović. Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, officials from all levels of government, representatives of associations stemming from the Homeland War, and family members of dead and missing Croatian veterans and civilians also paid their respects to the victims.
During the address as part of the commemorative program, the representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Darijana Filipović, said that the crimes against the Croats of Bugojno, even after more than three decades, have not been prosecuted.
“Perhaps the most important message today is that all institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to finally see the rule of law come to life and to finish the processes by the end of the year in which the victims’ families will get their satisfaction,” said Filipović.
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman, emphasized the need for political will to preserve the symbolism and identity that testify to the multi-ethnic history of Bugojno.
“Bugojno has changed its physiognomy and the will of the rulers is needed to at least symbolically, by returning the name after Croatian writers, show the determination to improve relations and restore the spirit of unity that Bugojno once had,” said Grlić Radman
The President of the Association of Homeland War Detainees in BiH, Miroslav Zelić, warned that even after 32 years, key issues are still not resolved, recalling that the remains of 15 forcibly taken Croats have not yet been found.
“The proceedings against those most responsible for the crimes against the Croats of Bugojno before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina have entered the final phase, and we hope that a well-deserved and just verdict will follow by the end of the year. But the real question remains – when will those who know where the remains of fifteen of our forcibly taken and liquidated fellow citizens are finally speak?”, Zelić pointed out.
He emphasized that Croats, as one of the three constituent nations, have the right to their own language, their own streets, but above all – the right to a dignified burial of the missing.
In addition to Čović, the commemoration was also attended by the President of the Federation of BiH Lidija Bradara, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the PS BiH Marinko Čavara, representative in the House of Peoples of the PS BiH Marina Pendeš, Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH Slaven Galić, Minister of Justice of the FBiH Vedran Škobić, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in BiH Ivan Sabolić and numerous other officials and representatives of veterans’ associations, announced the Croatian National Assembly (HNS) of BiH.
