Deputy Prime Minister Milun Zogović remarked today that the genocide perpetrated in Velika on 28 July 1944 by the Prinz Eugen and Skanderbeg divisions, resulting in the brutal murder of over 500 innocent civilians—including children, women, and the elderly—represents one of the most horrific war crimes on Montenegrin soil. This tragic event brings us together each year in solemn remembrance, as we pray alongside the families of the victims and honor those who were mercilessly killed solely due to their ethnicity.

He further mentioned that today, in peace and silence, we pray for the souls of innocent children, women, and elders—our brothers, neighbors, and friends—while firmly condemning this atrocious crime. Such joint condemnation acts as both a tribute and a reminder to avert the recurrence of such atrocities.

Deputy Prime Minister Zogović stressed that forgetting the Velika massacre would not be merely an omission, but rather a new injustice against the innocent victims. Thus, the condemnation of this heinous crime must be unwavering, without any relativization or neglect, particularly from all citizens of Montenegro.

He underscored that the sorrow of Velika has endured for generations, and that shared humanity, empathy, and acknowledgment of the genocide are moral imperatives. The tragedy in Velika embodies all the characteristics of genocide: the intentional and systematic extermination of people solely on account of their religious and ethnic identity.

Zogović recalled that in 2022, the Parliament of Montenegro adopted a Resolution condemning the genocide in Velika and Piva.

Commemorating this atrocity extends beyond local or familial boundaries—it is a universal moral obligation. Only through truth, justice, and a culture of remembrance can we foster a brighter future.

Attempts to downplay, justify, or deny such crimes are intolerable.

In our condemnation of this crime, we do not advocate for revenge but for justice and reconciliation. True reconciliation is attainable only when the truth is recognized, every crime is denounced, and each innocent victim is commemorated equally, Zogović concluded.