Silencing Independent Voices
Removal of Terraforming from Serbian IHRA Delegation Raises Serious Questions Over Serbia’s Genuine Commitment to IHRA Principles
Statement released on May 25 2026.
Nevena Bajalica and I have been removed from the Serbian delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance IHRA. This did not come as a surprise, but it remains deeply troubling, as it raises questions about Serbia’s genuine commitment to IHRA principles.
Terraforming as Serbia’s Bridge to IHRA Standards
For years, Terraforming has been one of the main, and often the sole link between IHRA and Serbian society. We have been the principal force that worked directly with teachers, archivists, librarians, museum professionals, civil society organizations, local communities, and public institutions to promote and implement IHRA values, tools, and standards in Serbia.
Much of Serbia’s IHRA-related progress in the past decade was driven by our work: the adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism by the Serbian Government; the Serbian translation and promotion of the IHRA Recommendations for Teaching and Learning about the Holocaust; capacity-building trainings for educators and professionals; the ongoing translation of the Serbian version of the IHRA Recommendations on the Persecution and Genocide of the Roma; and our contribution to the legal and institutional framework for the Memorial Center “Staro Sajmište,” to mention some.
Isolation, Pressure, Threats and Obstruction
At the same time, our work takes place in an increasingly hostile environment. As only independent voices within the delegation, we consistently raised concerns about antisemitism, Holocaust distortion, antigypsyism, and the abuse of history for nationalist and populist propaganda. In the past years, this led to increased isolation, intimidation, and even threats from Serbian officials involved in IHRA-related work. We were excluded from internal communication and coordination, and pressured to “tone down” our remarks on domestic antisemitism and historical distortion. Our engagement in IHRA internal projects and processes was not only ignored and boycotted but also actively obstructed by our own delegation.
Our formal removal from the IHRA delegation was carried out without communication, consultation, explanation, or any attempt at handover or knowledge transfer. We learned of it not from Serbian officials, but from the IHRA Permanent Office in Berlin, several weeks later.
Part of a Wider Crackdown on Free Voices
Our exclusion is not simply a matter of “administrative delegation reorganization.” It is happening within a dangerous, wider crackdown on Serbian civil society, free media, academia, educators, cultural professionals, and those who defend democracy and the rule of law. Historical distortion has become a political tool. Opponents are regularly called by officials and in the state-controlled media “Ustaša,” “Nazis,” “foreign agents,” or “paid by Soros.” This is precisely the environment in which Holocaust education, responsible remembrance, and the fight against antisemitism and antigypsyism must remain independent and principled.
A Test of Serbia’s Commitment to IHRA Principles
The question now is not who has been newly included in the Serbian IHRA delegation. The concern is who has been deliberately excluded.
If Terraforming — the most visible and internationally recognized actor in Holocaust education, remembrance, and countering distortion, antisemitism, and antigypsyism in Serbia, awarded the Yehuda Bauer Grant by IHRA, and the only independent expert voice — is removed from the delegation, this raises serious questions about the credibility and direction of Serbia’s engagement with IHRA.
Undeterred: Our Unwavering Commitment
Regardless of our formal status, Terraforming will continue to promote IHRA values and standards in Serbian society. We will continue to support educators and institutions, counter antisemitism and historical distortion, and insist that Serbian decision-makers uphold the international commitments connected to IHRA membership.
We view our removal as yet another act of intimidation. But this also proves that our work is both absolutely necessary and deeply impactful. Rather than discouraging us, this attempt to set us back only inspires us, deepening our determination and renewing our commitment.
We urge our colleagues and friends in the international and Serbian professional memory communities to continue standing with us in strengthening remembrance culture as a shared civilizational responsibility and a cornerstone of our democracies, preserving it from political abuse and distortion, while actively confronting contemporary antisemitism and antigypsyism.
Miško Stanišić, Director
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact Nemanja Stevanović at nemanja.stevanovic@terraforming.org
If Terraforming — the most visible and internationally recognized actor in Holocaust education, remembrance, and countering distortion, antisemitism, and antigypsyism in Serbia, awarded the Yehuda Bauer Grant by IHRA, and the only independent expert voice — is removed from the delegation, this raises serious questions about the credibility and direction of Serbia’s engagement with IHRA.