PM’s Chief Advisor Calls for Historical Reconciliation and the Abolishment of Collective Guilt

Memorial of the 1942 Novi Sad Raid

Katalin Szili, the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor, called for the abolition of collective guilt in her speech at the Eighty Years of Anti-Hungarian Atrocities – A Decade of Historical Reconciliation conference in Subotica (Szabadka, Serbia).

She emphasized the need to address historical atrocities, particularly those in Čurug (Csúrog), Mošorin (Mozsor), and Žabalj (Zsablya), where ethnic Hungarians were targeted during and after World War II. This period saw the Novi Sad Raid in 1942, where Hungarian forces killed thousands of Serbs, Jews, and others, while Tito’s partisans executed retaliatory purges from 1944 to 1945, killing at least 20,000 Hungarians.

Katalin Szili highlighted Serbia’s significant steps toward reconciliation, including the abolition of collective guilt laws and property confiscations, as well as the enactment of the Rehabilitation Act.

These efforts, particularly Serbia’s 2013 recognition of historical injustices, were crucial in fostering forgiveness and preserving the memory of the victims. Acknowledging the atrocities, she pointed out that memory and forgiveness must go hand in hand to heal the wounds of the past.

The PM’s Chief Advisor urged that collective guilt be abolished globally, stressing that future generations should not carry the burden of unjust blame for past wrongs. She also honored key figures like István Pásztor, whose efforts in Vojvodina helped bring about political change and reconciliation. His work, along with contributions from historians and activists, has been vital in ensuring the memory of innocent victims is preserved.

Szili reaffirmed that the reconciliation process must continue, emphasizing tolerance, respect, and the importance of protecting the dignity of all communities moving forward.

Via MTI; Featured Image: Wikipedia