On June 26, The Independent published an op-ed written by Professor Menachem Rosensaft, general counsel of the World Jewish Congress, which outlines the current situation considering memory politics on the Second World War in Croatia.

The article, titled “Croatia’s fascist movement is on the rise yet again” gives the background on Croatian Second World War fascist Ustaša movement, and genocide they committed against Serbs, Roma, Jews, as well as massive violence against anti-fascists.

Professor Rosensaft singled out the latest developments in Croatia’s highly problematic relation towards Second World War fascist Ustaša, as well as the lack of legislation for prosecuting the proliferation of Ustaša symbols. One of these developments is a highly controversial verdict of the Court of High Misdemeanours in Zagreb, claiming that the use of Ustaša chant “Za dom spremni” (“Ready for the Home(land)”) in a song by nationalist singer Marko Perković Thompson did not violate public order and breach the peace.

This decision will probably encourage future transgressors, as there is a problematic track record in prosecuting or even condemning the widespread use of the chant. The article explains how Croatia deals with the Ustaša past by promoting rampant negationist theories, capillary working through film, journalism, and quasi-academic work. Finally, Professor Rosensaft countered this negationism with testimonies of Jasenovac concentration camp survivors.

The publication of the article coincided with the peak of the campaign for Croatian parliamentary elections. While usually historical topics are an important part of Croatian political debates – traditionally known as the “Ustaša and [anti-fascist] Partisans” divide – this campaign was mostly oriented towards other issues, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences.