Controversial remarks by Nemanja Zavišić, Vice President of the Assembly of Vojvodina, have triggered widespread criticism after he reiterated his claim that “all Croats are Ustaše” and denied that Serbs have ever committed crimes.
Speaking to Radio Television of Vojvodina, Zavišić said he “absolutely does not regret” his earlier statement, despite a criminal complaint filed against him by the Party of Freedom and Justice, with support from the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina. The complaint accuses him of inciting national, racial, and religious hatred.
Zavišić defended his remarks as a form of “raising awareness,” claiming they highlight what he described as the difficult position of Serbs in Croatia. He insisted that the courts would ultimately determine whether his statements violated the law, adding that he would accept any judicial ruling.
While denying any intention to incite violence, he made further inflammatory claims, stating that “Serbs have never committed crimes” and portraying the nation’s historical role as exclusively defensive and liberating. Such assertions contradict established historical records, including documented atrocities during conflicts such as Yugoslav Wars.
The controversy was further fueled by his reaction to Croatian singer Toni Cetinski, who recently canceled a concert in Novi Sad, citing claims about the use of the SPENS sports center during the 1990s war period. Zavišić dismissed those claims as false and offensive, using them to justify his rhetoric.
He also alleged that “Ustaše ideology” remains dominant in Croatian political and social life — a claim widely disputed by analysts and officials, who warn that such rhetoric risks inflaming ethnic tensions in an already sensitive regional context.
The incident has intensified concerns about rising nationalist discourse in Serbia and its potential impact on regional stability and reconciliation efforts in the Western Balkans. Critics argue that statements like those made by Zavišić not only distort historical facts but also undermine ongoing efforts to promote accountability, dialogue, and coexistence in the post-conflict region.
