On November 14, 2023, the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOC) adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) legally non-binding working definitions of antisemitism, Holocaust denial and distortion, and anti-Roma racism and discrimination. The signing of the IHRA documents was held at the premises of the HOC in Zagreb, Croatia. The HOC’s adoption of the IHRA Working Definitions is part of its Future of Remembrance initiative, which aims to fight against attitudes of intolerance, discrimination, and exclusion through and in sport.
The documents were signed by the Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Minister of Internal Affairs Davor Božinović, Ph.D., the Minister of Tourism and Sport Nikolina Brnjac, Ph.D., and the Croatian Olympic Committee President, Zlatko Mateša, Ph.D. Minister Božinović was accompanied by State Secretary and Co-Chair of the Croatian IHRA Presidency, Terezija Gras, while the Ministry of Tourism and Sport was represented by the State Secretary for Sports, Josip Pavić. The event was also attended by the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Secretary General, Siniša Krajač.
Emphasising on the importance of adopting the IHRA working definitions, the signatories recommended their implementation in all areas of human activity, especially in sport, to the Croatian Olympic Committee and all individuals involved in sport. As sport brings together people of all races, nations, and communities at competitions across all continents, the Olympic Committee’s initiative encourages remembrance and inclusion on a global level.