Yale sponsored major study on fascism in the EU, Croatia among the worst

(Patria) - Historical revisionism that includes denial or downplaying of the Holocaust is more present in the eastern EU member states, according to a new study, reports Politico.

The study particularly emphasizes the situation in Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, and Croatia.

"Many European Union governments are working to rehabilitate collaborators and war criminals from World War II while simultaneously downplaying guilt for the persecution of Jews," states the Holocaust Revisionist Report, a study sponsored, among others, by Yale University, reports Croatian portal Index.

"Revisionism is worst in the new EU member states - Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, and Croatia," the study says.

Croatia, therefore, is highlighted as problematic regarding the rise of historical revisionism.

"In Croatia, the salute of the Ustaše, Croatian fascists, continues to be used at football matches, gatherings, and protests. Also, there is a lack of Holocaust museums. Jewish and Roma communities have boycotted official commemorations," writes Politico.

'HRT, THE CHURCH, AND KOLINDA'

The study itself writes much more about Croatia. Moreover, an entire chapter is dedicated to it. For instance, HRT is mentioned for hosting Jakov Sedlar, the author of a "revisionist documentary about Jasenovac."

"The Catholic Church in Croatia 'asked for forgiveness' from the victims of the Holocaust. At the same time, some priests, like Stjepan Razum, are known for revisionism," states the study, which also mentions masses being held for Pavelić.

Regarding politicians, the study mentions numerous individuals from political life from the 90s onwards. Not necessarily in a negative context.

However, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović is mentioned in a rather negative context.

"My position on the salute 'Za dom spremni' is clear. It is an old Croatian salute, but it was compromised by the Ustaše," the study quotes Kolinda, who, as they write, said this on September 4, 2017.

In the very next sentence, they emphasize that this salute was invented by the Ustaše in the 1930s.

Former Croatian President Ivo Josipović, commenting on the resurgence of Ustaše ideology in Croatia on Friday evening, told FACE TV that such a policy primarily harms the citizens of Croatia because other countries view the country in a very negative context.