Acting Director of the Republika Srpska Secretariat for Displaced Persons and Migration Slađan Jović has strongly condemned an attack on the Gradina Orthodox cemetery in the village of Lozna, in the municipality of Banovići.
According to media reports, the incident occurred several days ago when a canopy built by Serbs displaced from the village was damaged by cutting. The structure had been erected to provide a gathering place during Orthodox memorial days for the deceased and the village’s patron saint celebration.
Jović calls on FBiH institutions to identify and punish perpetrators
Jović called on all relevant institutions in the Federation of BiH to become involved in the case and punish those responsible, stressing that only such action could restore trust and a sense of security among the small number of Serbs who have decided to visit their pre-war homes.
He also expressed concern that intimidation of Serbs and the seizure of Serb property continue to occur.
Jović pointed to demographic changes in the village, noting that 1,018 Serbs lived in Lozna in 1991, while the 2013 population census recorded no Serb residents.
“Since the beginning of the year, there have been several attacks on Serb returnees and their property. It is time for the Federation’s institutions to start doing their job, adequately punish the perpetrators and publicly disclose the identities of those behind these repeated attacks,” Jović said.
He added that, in his view, Republika Srpska institutions are the only ones taking care of Serb returnees, while the failure of Federation institutions to fulfill their obligations constitutes a violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Republika Srpska continues supporting religious sites in FBiH
Jović also noted that the Government of Republika Srpska, together with the Republika Srpska Secretariat for Displaced Persons and Migration, continuously provides assistance and subsidies for the restoration and construction of religious buildings throughout the Federation of BiH through public calls issued annually.
“These are important gathering places for Serb returnees, essential for preserving tradition and one of the prerequisites for their continued presence in their pre-war communities. That is why this form of support is necessary,” Jović stated.
Source: RTRS
