Day of mourning in Serbia for the victims of the fire in the home for the elderly in Barajevo

Yesterday's Government session began with a minute's silence for the victims of the fire that broke out on Monday in the "Ivanović" home for adults and the elderly in Barajevo, as stated in the announcement of the Government of Serbia.

Eight people died and seven were injured in the fire. The law stipulates that the Day of Mourning is declared, among other things, due to a particularly serious accident resulting in the death, injury or serious damage to the health of a large number of people or in the case of the death of a high-ranking state official.

A day of mourning can also be declared in the event of the death of a person who had great merit for the country, as well as on the occasion of a tragic event, when the Government decides on it. The decision on the proclamation and duration of the Day of Mourning is made by the Government of Serbia.

The day of mourning cannot last longer than three days. It begins at midnight and ends at 24 hours, the day designated as the last day of mourning. On the Day of Mourning, flags are flown at half-mast. During the Day of Mourning, it is forbidden to broadcast folk and entertainment music, i.e. to hold entertainment programs in public places.

Broadcasting organizations for informing the public are obliged to broadcast a decision in programs, including broadcasts intended for foreign countries, on the day of the declaration of the Day of Mourning, to inform the public about the commemoration gatherings organized by the competent authorities on the occasion of the Day of Mourning.

It is necessary that the programming scheme be in accordance with the day of mourning, that instead of humorous, entertaining, folklore and other shows with fun and folk music, music and shows suitable for the day of mourning should be broadcast.

Daily newspapers on the Day of Mourning should have their pages printed in black, stating on the front page the decision to declare the Day of Mourning and the announcement of its observance.

In educational institutions, the Day of Mourning is marked by a minute of silence in the first school class, and the music education curriculum is adapted to the Day of Mourning. Museums, theaters, cinemas, organizations that have music-stage programs, archives and other institutions in the field of culture are obliged to adapt their programs to the Day of Mourning.

The day of mourning in sports halls, stadiums and playgrounds is marked by lowering the flags of Serbia and sports clubs to half-mast. Before the start of the sports event, the referee blows a whistle to indicate the beginning and end of paying tribute with a minute of silence, and appropriate messages to be delivered to the victims of the accident due to which a day of mourning has been declared.

Supervision over the implementation of the Law on the observance of the Day of Mourning is carried out by the Ministry of Interior, and relevant Ministries of Culture, Information and Education. Violation of the aforementioned law is subject to a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 dinars for legal entities, or from 2,000 to 10,000 dinars for physical entities.

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