On Sunday, May 19th, 2025, the Jasenovac Research Institute held its annual international conference online via Zoom, marking a significant historical milestone - the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Jasenovac concentration camp. This solemn occasion brought together scholars, historians, and human rights advocates to reflect on the legacy of the Holocaust and genocide in the former Yugoslavia, and to continue the vital work of education, remembrance, and resistance to historical revisionism. The conference opened with introductory remarks by Barry Lituchy, founder of the Jasenovac Research Institute, and Dr. Aleksandar Stojanović, both of whom emphasized the importance of historical memory and international cooperation in the face of ongoing attempts to distort the truth about the atrocities committed during World War II.

A series of powerful presentations followed:

Dusan Bastašić delivered an in-depth analysis titled “Genocide in Croatia and in the Gospić-Jadovno-Pag Death Camps,” shedding light on early genocidal operations that predated Jasenovac and served as a precursor to its horrific system of mass murder.

Viktor Bejatović presented “The War Crimes of the Wehrmacht in Nazi-Occupied Serbia,” offering a detailed account of German military crimes and their collaboration with local fascist forces, broadening the understanding of occupation dynamics and systemic violence in the region.

Renowned historian Prof. Dr. Aleksej Timofejev spoke on “The Red Army's Role in the Liberation of Yugoslavia and Recent Historical Revisionism,” addressing both the military liberation of territories including Jasenovac, and the growing threat of political and academic efforts to undermine the historical record.

The 2025 conference served not only as a commemoration of the victims but also as a platform for truth and scholarship in the face of denial and distortion. As JRI continues its mission, this year’s conference reaffirmed the importance of international solidarity, rigorous academic research, and unwavering commitment to justice for the victims of fascism and genocide.