The Centre's director and director of its Eastern European Affairs, Efraim Zuroff, has noted in a letter to Milanovic that a law to that effect was implemented in the autumn of 1993 and that such a policy rewarded members of a movement which had committed numerous atrocities against civilians.
"In view of the horrendous war crimes committed in the NDH (Independent State of Croatia) by the Ustasha, we believe that such a policy is inherently mistaken, contrary to the principles of the Republic of Croatia and a horrific insult to the victims of the Ustasha, their families and all Croatians with a sense of morality and integrity," the letter says.
"We therefore urge you to take appropriate measures to changes this policy as quickly as possible and spare Croatia the shame of rewarding those who were among the worst and most cruel perpetrators of World War II crimes, with special rewards for their cruelty and moral blindness," Zuroff wrote.