An event to mark the Memorial Day for the victims of Ustasha crimes in the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) in the concentration camp Jasenovac between 1941 and 1945 was organised at the site of the massacre in Donja Gradina on Saturday.

A large number of citizens arrived, and according to estimates, about 15,000 are expected from various regions. Numerous officials from BiH’s Republika Srpska (RS) and from neighbouring Serbia are in attendance. Among them are the President of RS Milorad Dodik, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from RS Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of RS Radovan Viskovic, President of the RS National Assembly Nenad Stevandic, ministers in the government, members of parliament, the Mayor of Belgrade Aleksandar Sapic, Ambassador of Russia to BiH Igor Kalabuhov, and others.

The descendants of the camp inmates, survivors, as well as a large number of elementary and high school students for whom transportation was organized are also attending.

Police forces are deployed on the way to Donja Gradina to ensure security during the commemoration.

In the morning hours, a liturgy was served at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Kozarska Dubica.

Wreaths will be laid at the memorial area of Donja Gradina and a memorial service will take place for the victims of Jasenovac, followed by planned speeches by officials.

After coming to power in 1941, the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) enacted racist and genocidal laws, following the example of Italian fascists and German Nazis.