OSTOJIĆ URGES BiH AND EU TO ACT OVER GLORIFICATION OF FASCIST IDEOLOGIES

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 15 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister of Labor and Veterans' Affairs Radan Ostojić has called on the institutions of BiH and the EU to respond to the glorification of fascist and criminal ideologies during the concert by controversial Croatian singer Marko Perković Thompson in Široki Brijeg.

Commenting on disturbing scenes of Ustasha chanting and the use of Nazi salutes during the concert in Široki Brijeg, Ostojić stressed that glorifying fascist and criminal ideologies is unacceptable in any democratic society. He emphasized that it is particularly alarming when such messages are sent from public events attended by a large number of citizens, including young people. "As the minister responsible for veterans' issues, but above all as a citizen who respects the anti-fascist tradition and the sacrifice of all those who fought against Nazism and fascism, I believe it is our duty to take a clear stand against any form of historical revisionism and hate speech," Ostojić noted. He underlined that any relativization of criminal ideologies directly insults the victims and their families, while also undermining the foundations of society. Ostojić pointed out that the announced concert in Mostar is additionally concerning, sending what he described as a dangerous message and a warning that criminal ideologies are being normalized. "I call on the competent institutions of BiH to investigate all circumstances of this event in accordance with the law and to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of fascist and Nazi symbolism in the public space, and I also call on EU institutions to react," Ostojić said. He also urged organizers of public gatherings to assume responsibility and not allow the dissemination of messages associated with the darkest ideologies of the 20th century. "It is our duty to preserve the dignity of our people and the legacy of the anti-fascist struggle, and to clearly state that there is no place for fascism and Nazism in our society," Ostojić emphasized. At the concert in Široki Brijeg on Friday, February 15, Thompson performed the song "Bojna Čavoglave" along with the Ustasha salute "Za dom spremni!", which the audience chanted in unison with him. The performance at the Pecara Sports Hall featured iconography and symbols of the notorious Independent State of Croatia, as well as references to the wars of the 1990s. In recent years, Thompson’s concerts have been banned or canceled in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia, where he has been described as a promoter of neo-Nazism and Ustasha ideology.