Dijana Hrka, the mother of a young man who lost his life in the tragic collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad, has strongly condemned the decision of the Higher Court in Novi Sad, stating that it represents a second killing of the victims and a clear message that the victims themselves are being blamed.
In a powerful public statement, Hrka questioned the moral responsibility of judges, prosecutors, and state officials, asking whether they reflect on their actions once they return home and embrace their own children.
“Lives Were Lost, and So Was Trust”
According to Hrka, the court’s decision has inflicted irreparable damage on society, far beyond the already devastating human loss.
“We lost young people, parents, children, workers — people with knowledge, kindness, and plans. We lost the future. And above all, we lost trust,” she said.
She reminded the public that 16 lives were lost, while one person was left permanently disabled, condemned to live with the consequences of what she described as institutional negligence and irresponsibility.
Accusations of Systemic Failure
Hrka warned against the normalization, relativization, and silencing of such tragedies, stressing that any child could be next if accountability continues to be avoided.
“I speak because silence means complicity,” she stated.
She emphasized that her son, as well as the other victims, were not statistics or numbers in a legal file, but human lives that mattered and deserved justice.
Implicit Indictment of Vučić’s Governance
Although not naming him directly, Hrka’s words echo growing public criticism that under President Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia’s institutions increasingly fail to deliver justice, shielding responsibility while shifting blame onto victims.
Critics argue that political pressure, compromised courts, and a culture of impunity have become hallmarks of Vučić’s rule, leaving grieving families without answers or accountability.
A Mother’s Vow to Keep Speaking
Hrka concluded by stating that while she has lost her child, her peace, and her faith in justice, she has not lost her voice.
“If institutions have no conscience, I do,” she said, adding that she owes it to her deceased son, her surviving child, and all citizens who continue to support her struggle.
