Representatives of the President of the Republic, the Parliament, the Government, Zadar County, Homeland War associations, the Independent Skabrnja Battalion, as well as local officials and other delegations attended a commemoration and laid wreaths and lit candles at the local cemetery in tribute to the Skabrnja victims.
In the period between the occupation of the village by Serb forces and its liberation in the 1995 Operation Storm, 25 soldiers and 57 civilians from Skabrnja were killed, and most of them were killed on 18 November 1991, when the occupying forces executed several dozen soldiers and civilians after capturing the village.
"We are not here to judge, but to remember and learn lessons for the future. We must not forget any of our innocent victims. They were killed in the most cruel way in the savage attack of 18 November 1991 and we must remember them forever and with deep respect," said Deputy Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic, who led the parliamentary delegation.
"If we can find the strength we should forgive and not judge those who committed the crimes. But we must never forget what happened," Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec said.
Participants in the commemoration were also addressed by county officials and representatives of war veterans' associations.