Compensation/Restitution Eastern Europe

Croatia

Croatia’s property restitution law, first passed in 1990, only covers property seized by Communist Yugoslavia between May 15, 1945 and June 25, 1991. It does not cover property seized during World War II. While amendments have been proposed to cover this time period, the Croatian Parliament has not granted its approval to date.

On July 5, 2002, the Croatian Parliament passed an amendment that allowed foreigners with Croatian citizenship prior to 1996 to place claims for property lost during the specified time period. The deadline to submit a claim was originally established at January 5, 2003, but this deadline was subsequently waived. No new deadline has been announced. Earlier U.S. – Yugoslav agreements compensated claims pertaining to property expropriated between1939-1948. The process ended in the 1960’s.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization is pressing the Croatian government to introduce legislation to deal with general property restitution.

Prior to World War II Croatia had 40,000 Jewish citizens. Thirty-two thousand Croatian Jews were killed after April 1941 when the Nazis allowed the Ustasa organization to create an independent Croatia. The Ustasa established concentration camps between 1941-1945, the largest of which was Jasenovac.

For further information:

In the United States: Croatian Embassy 2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC20008-2853 Tel. (202) 588-5899 Fax. (202) 588-8936 www.usembassy.hr/issues/020729.htm

In Croatia:
Coordinating Committee of Jewish Communities in Croatia
Mrs. Dunja Sprajc, Secretary General
P.O. Box 362
Zagreb, 41000 , Croatia
Tel. 385.41.434.619
Fax. 385.41.434.638
Email. jcz@public.srce.hr

The information presented herein is intended for information purposes only and solely as a general guide.The information is not intended as legal advice. It is a summary of specific issues and does not represent a definitive or complete statement of the programs and policies of the agencies or governments mentioned. The information may not address the special needs, interests and circumstances of individual recipients. Individual situations differ and recipients are urged to seek individual advice.Individuals seeking specific information on a program are urged to contact the relevant program or to consult their social service agency or help center representative. To the best of our knowledge the information is correct as of the date of this document and this information may change subsequent to the said date. Updated January 2005

Compensation & Restitution Resources

Compensation/Restitution Eastern Europe

Croatia