The pogrom took place from 19 to 21 February 1937 and is known as Yekatit 12 (Amharic: የካቲት ፲፪) after the start date in the Ethiopian calendar.

The sculptural groups by the Yugoslav sculptors Antun Augustinčić and Frano Kršinić depict scenes of the pogrom and other war crimes such as the use of chemical weapons and the burial of victims after the liberation of the country.

[5][2] During his visit to President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie met Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić on the Brijuni islands.

[6] Augustinčić accepted the invitation and called his colleague Frano Kršinić with whom he designed the idea for the Monument to the Victims of Fascism.

[6] To provide feedback and instruction for the Harar monument Afewerk Tekle went to Zagreb where he exchanged ideas with Augustinčić.