The ADC has expressed its deep concern at reports that last week, on April 10, the same day that in 1941 the pro-Nazi, fascist Ustasha regime proclaimed the Independent State of Croatia, a Croatian flag was flown on a crane above the new construction site in the car park of 1 Convention Centre Place. A distraught member of the public brought this to the attention of the ADC. Pro Build, who run the site, responded that it does raise flags on random days to celebrate multiculturalism of their diverse workplace.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“It is deeply offensive that on the very day that the Ustasha–a horrific and genocidal pro-Nazi regime that legislated the extermination of non-Croats, and butchered hundreds of thousands of Jews, Serbs, Gypsies, and political dissidents came into power in Croatia—anyone would fly this flag. I wonder whether this is an attempt to glorify the indescribable barbaric war crimes committed by this fascist regime, responsible for forced conversions, deportations, torture and mass slaughter, mainly in Croatia’s Auschwitz— the infamous Jasenovac death camp? This display is a morally outrageous abuse of Holocaust history, and a grievous insult to the victims and survivors of this collaborationist, evil government. Recently, there has been an alarming surge of nationalist extremism and anti-Semitism in Croatia, and an adoption of Ustasha symbols. I very much hope that such divisive tensions and hatred are not coming to our multicultural city. We urge an immediate investigation of this incident and the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure such an episode does not happen again.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.