Waste foam: Part of the problem goes back to the days of the former state

On Saturday, the Croatian parliament’s vice-president and head of the commission for determining the fates of victims of wartime crimes, Ivan Penava, addressed a commemoration ceremony in Donje Macle, emphasizing the ongoing need to systematically investigate the fates of war victims and uncover the truth. During the event, which marked the final burial of 500 Croatian victims whose remains were exhumed from mass graves in Slovenia, Penava highlighted the importance of this step in the effort to locate and honor those who perished during the Second World War. He noted that these individuals, many of whom died without clothing, bound with ropes, and killed with blunt objects and cold weapons, were ultimately cast into pits throughout Slovenia. The ceremony included the dignified burial of these victims, accompanied by a Croatian chessboard, cross, and woven mat, symbols he suggested may have contributed to their sentencing and eventual execution. Penava underscored that similar mass grave sites exist in numerous locations within Croatia and Slovenia, and that the state and society still face a significant task ahead. He reiterated that the fate of those murdered under communist forces, led and ordered by Josip Broz Tito, must be equally condemned. Penava stressed that the crime of one regime cannot justify or diminish the crime of another. In response to questions regarding future state efforts to locate victims, he stated that collaboration continues with associations, individuals, the Church, scientific institutions, and other countries. He emphasized that documents were often hidden, destroyed, or taken during the period before democracy, and that today, the responsibility lies with all of society to piece together the past. While acknowledging the long-term and demanding nature of the process, he expressed confidence that systematic work can yield tangible results. In addition to his remarks on wartime atrocities, Penava addressed the issue of illegal waste disposal in Gospić. Speaking to the media, he called for urgent action to stop pollution and remove hazardous waste, stressing the necessity of acting lawfully and systematically. He highlighted the importance of holding accountable those responsible for unlawful dumping. Penava warned that across Croatia, there are numerous sites where waste has been illegally disposed of for decades, and that part of the problem dates back to the era of the former state. He urged that such locations be remediated and that those responsible for unlawful actions be prosecuted. He concluded by expressing hope that judicial institutions will clearly demonstrate that equal laws apply to everyone in the country, and that those responsible for environmental harm should be held accountable. He described the issue as a serious crime against both the environment and all citizens.