Family and friends, together with citizens of Belgrade, gathered to mark 28 years since the brutal murder of Dušan Jovanović, who was attacked by a group of skinheads on October 18, 1997, because of his Roma background.
Dušan was killed near his home in Beogradska Street, close to the park where he used to play every day, most often with his sister, Duška.
As in previous years, A 11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, together with Duška Jovanović organized the We Remember Dušan commemoration. This gathering brought people together in front of the Faculty of Law in Belgrade, from where we walked to 35 Beogradska Street, the site of Dušan’s home, and held a minute of silence in his memory.
The walk ended in the park at Slavija, once known as “Mitićeva rupa” which has, since June this year, officially held the name Park of Dušan Jovanović.
The naming of the park was the result of a formal initiative submitted to the Belgrade City Assembly three years ago by the A 11 Initiative’s legal team, in cooperation with Dušan’s family and at the request of his sister.
Addressing those gathered, Duška Jovanović spoke about living with pain, emptiness and sorrow that has only grown over the past 28 years.
“I lost my brother. My children lost their uncle. My parents lost their child. Every year we gather to show that we do not accept what was done to him and that we will never accept such violence happening to anyone, ever again. This park is where my brother and I grew up. We learned to ride bikes here, we went sledding here, we spent our whole childhood together here. Our school was nearby, and not far from here, my brother took his last breath. Children will keep coming to this park to play, just like we once did. And every time they look at this plaque and see Dušan’s face, they will know what happened to him”, said Duška Jovanović, expressing gratitude to everyone who helped ensure that the park now carries her brother’s name.
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality was among the first institutions to support the initiative back in 2022. Commissioner Brankica Janković reminded everyone that the fight against hate speech is far from over and that Dušan’s lost life must never be forgotten.
“Dušan left his home to buy a drink and he never came back. Some may think that naming a park after this boy is a small gesture, but it is deeply meaningful. It represents a culture of remembrance that calls us to responsibility. It teaches our children understanding, empathy, tolerance and acceptance. Much has changed over these 28 years, but not enough. We still see great social distance toward our fellow Roma citizens and some in positions of power even dare to spread hate”, Janković said.
Yet, she added, there are more and more people choosing to stand on the side of justice, demanding accountability and a society free from hatred.
Earlier that day, a plaque bearing Dušan’s image was installed beside the playground within the park.
The A 11 Initiative expressed heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined this year’s commemoration and helped keep alive the memory of violence that should never have happened – and must never happen again.
We remember Dušan.
