INDEPENDENT STATE OF CROATIA
LEGAL PROVISION
FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE NATION AND STATE
1. Whoever in any way violates or has violated the honour and vital interests of the Croatian people or in any way endangers the existence of the Independent State of Croatia or state authorities, even if the act remains only an attempt, is guilty of the crime of high treason.
2. Whoever is found guilty of the crime in point 1. mentioned above shall be subject to the death penalty.
3. For adjudication under this legal provision, the Minister of Justice shall appoint, as necessary, special people’s courts consisting of three members, who are to judge by expedited procedure according to the regulations of the abolished Croatian criminal procedure on summary court.
4. The Minister of Justice shall appoint the members of the court.
5. This legal provision comes into immediate effect.
In Zagreb, on the 17th of April, 1941.
Poglavnik:
Dr. Ante Pavelić, v. r.
“Narodne Novine”, Official Gazette of the NDH, from 11th to 12th April 1941
At the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, I hereby prescribe and proclaim
LEGAL PROVISION
on citizenship
Clause 1.
A national is a person who is under the protection of the Independent State of Croatia. National affiliation is acquired in accordance with the regulations of the statutory provision on national affiliation.
Clause 2.
A citizen is a national of Aryan descent who has proven by their conduct that they have not acted against the liberating aspirations of the Croatian people and who is willing to serve the Croatian people and the Independent State of Croatia loyally and faithfully.
Clause 3.
A citizen is the bearer of political rights according to the provisions of the law.
Clause 4.
The Ministry of the Interior shall issue orders necessary for the implementation and supplementation of this statutory provision.
Clause 5.
This statutory provision shall come into force on the day of its proclamation in Narodne Novine.
In Zagreb, 30th April 1941.
Number XXXIX/64-Z, p.-1941.
Poglavnik:
Dr. Ante Pavelić, v. r.
President of the Legislative
Commission to the Poglavnik:
Dr. Milovan Žanić, v. r.
“Narodne Novine” from 23rd April to 5th May 1941.
At the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, I prescribe and proclaim
LEGAL PROVISION
on racial affiliation
Clause 1.
A person of Aryan origin is one who descends from ancestors who are members of the European racial community and who originate from descendants of that community outside Europe.
Unless other provisions exist for certain services, Aryan origin is proven by baptismal (birth) and marriage certificates of ancestors of the first and second degree (parents and grandparents). For members of the Islamic religious community who cannot provide these documents, a written testimony from two credible witnesses who knew their ancestors is required, confirming that among them there are no persons of non-Aryan origin.
In doubtful cases, the decision is made by the Ministry of the Interior at the proposal of the racial policy committee.
Clause 2.
Individuals, who in addition to Aryan ancestors have one second-degree ancestor who is Jewish or another non-Aryan European by race, shall be considered equal to persons of Aryan origin in terms of acquiring citizenship.
Individuals with two Jewish second-degree ancestors by race may also be considered equal to persons of Aryan origin in terms of citizenship, unless otherwise specified in clause 3.
Clause 3.
As Jews for the purposes of this legal provision are considered:
1. Persons who descend from at least three ancestors of the second degree (grandfathers and grandmothers), who are Jews by race. Grandfathers and grandmothers are considered Jews if they are of the Mosaic faith or were born into that faith.
2. Persons who have two ancestors of the second degree, who are Jews by race, in the following cases:
a) if they were members of the Mosaic faith on 10th April 1941, or if they converted to that faith thereafter;
b) if they have a spouse who is considered a Jew under item 1;
c) if they have married after the enactment of this legal provision to a person who has two or more ancestors of the second degree who are Jews by race, and the descendants from such a marriage;
d) if they are illegitimate children with a Jew as defined in item 1, born after 31st January 1942;
e) if the Ministry of the Interior, upon a reasoned proposal from the racial policy commission, decides that they are to be considered as Jews.
3. Persons born outside the territory of the Independent State of Croatia from parents who do not originate from the Independent State of Croatia if they were of the Mosaic faith on 10th April 1941 or have at least two ancestors of the second degree who are Jews by race, or are considered as Jews under the laws of the country from which they originate.
4. Persons who, after the enactment of this legal provision, have entered into a marriage circumventing the legal provision for the protection of Aryan blood, which is prohibited, and their descendants.
5. Persons who are illegitimate children of Jewish women as defined in item 1.
Clause 4.
A person is considered a Gypsy under this legal provision if they descend from two or more second-degree ancestors who are racially Gypsies.
Clause 5.
A racial-political committee is to be established within the Ministry of the Interior, which will provide opinions and proposals in all cases of doubtful racial affiliation.
The final decision in cases of doubtful racial affiliation will be made by the Ministry of the Interior.
Regulations concerning the structure and scope of the committee’s work will be issued by the Ministry of the Interior by special order.
Clause 6.
Individuals who, prior to 10th April 1941, have proven themselves meritorious to the Croatian people, particularly in terms of their liberation, as well as their spouses, with whom they entered into marriage before the enactment of this legal provision, and descendants from such a marriage, to whom this order might apply, may be granted by the head of state all rights that belong to persons of Aryan origin, outside the regulations of this order.
Clause 7.
The implementation of this order is entrusted to the Minister of the Interior.
Clause 8.
This legal provision shall come into force on the day of its proclamation in Narodne Novine.
In Zagreb, 30th April 1941.
Number: XLV-68 Z. p. 41.
Poglavnik:
Dr Ante Pavelić v.r.
President of the Legislative
Commission to the Poglavnik:
Dr. Milovan Žanić, v. r.
“Narodne Novine” from 23rd May to 5th May 1941
LEGAL PROVISION
on the prohibition of Cyrillic script.
§ 1.
In the territory of the Independent State of Croatia, the use of Cyrillic script is prohibited.
§ 2.
This statutory provision shall come into force on the day of its proclamation in the “Narodne Novine”, and its implementation is entrusted to the Ministry of the Interior.
In Zagreb, 25th April 1941.
Number XXV-33-Z. P.-1941.
Poglavnik:
Dr Ante Pavelić v.r.
President of the Legislative
Commission to the Poglavnik:
Dr. Milovan Žanić, v. r.
“Narodne Novine” of 25th April 1941.
IMPLEMENTATION ORDER
Ministry of the Interior to the legal provision on the prohibition of Cyrillic.
§ 1.
Any use of Cyrillic is prohibited throughout the territory of the Independent State of Croatia. This particularly applies to the entire operations of all state and self-governing bodies, offices of public order, commercial and similar books and correspondence, and all public inscriptions.
Accordingly, I order:
that the use of Cyrillic in public and private life be immediately suspended throughout the territory of the Independent State of Croatia. Any printing of books in Cyrillic is forbidden. All public inscriptions written in Cyrillic must be removed without delay, and at the latest within three days.
§ 2.
Violators of this order will be punished by the administrative authorities with a fine of up to 10,000 dinars and imprisonment of up to one month.
In Zagreb, 25th April 1941,
Number 34-Z. p.-1941
Minister of the Interior:
Dr. Andrija Artuković, v. r.
“Narodne Novine” from 25th April 1941
Upon the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, I decree and proclaim
LEGAL REGULATION
on the protection of Aryan blood and honour of the Croatian people
Clause 1.
The marriage of Jews and other persons who are not of Aryan descent with persons of Aryan descent is prohibited. Likewise, the marriage of a person who, in addition to Aryan ancestors, has one second-degree ancestor of Jewish or other non-Aryan European descent with a person of the same racial origin is also prohibited.
Which persons are considered as Jews or non-Aryans shall be determined by the legal provision on racial affiliation.
Clause 2.
A special permission to form a marriage is required in the following cases:
1. for the marriage of a person with two second-degree Jewish ancestors by race to a person who has one second-degree European non-Aryan ancestor by race, or to a person of Aryan origin;
2. for the marriage of a person who has among their ancestors members of other non-European races to a person of the same origin or to a person who has one or two second-degree Jewish ancestors by race or one second-degree Gypsy ancestor by race, or to a person of Aryan origin;
3. for marriage between citizens and nationals, unless prohibited under item 1. The permission for such a marriage is issued by the Ministry of the Interior after consultation with the racial policy committee.
Clause 3.
Extramarital sexual intercourse by Jews or any other person who is not of Aryan blood, with a female of Aryan descent is prohibited.
A non-Aryan male who violates this prohibition commits the crime of racial defilement and shall be punished with imprisonment. In particularly severe cases, especially if it involves the rape of an virgin girl, the death penalty may be imposed.
Item 4.
Jews or other persons who are not of Aryan origin are not permitted to employ female persons of Aryan origin under the age of 45 in their household.
Item 5.
Non-Aryans and state nationals are prohibited from displaying the Croatian state and national flags and from exhibiting Croatian national colours and emblems.
All changes to Jewish surnames that have been made after 1 December 1918 are declared invalid, and must be replaced with the original surnames.
Who is a Jew is determined by the legal provision on racial affiliation.
Clause 4.
Jews or other persons who are not of Aryan origin are not permitted to employ female persons of Aryan origin under the age of 45 in their household.
Clause 5.
Non-Aryans and state nationals are prohibited from displaying the Croatian state and national flags and from exhibiting Croatian national colours and emblems.
All changes to Jewish surnames that have been made after 1 December 1918 are declared invalid, and must be replaced with the original surnames.
Who is a Jew is determined by the legal provision on racial affiliation.
Clause 6.
The Minister of the Interior shall issue orders for the implementation of this statutory provision.
Clause 7.
This statutory provision shall come into force on the day of its proclamation in Narodne Novine.
Zagreb, 30th April 1941.
Number: XLIV-67-Z. P.-1941
Poglavnik:
Dr. Ante Pavelić, v.r.
Chairman of the Legislative
Commission to the Poglavnik:
Dr. Milovan Žanić,v.r
“Narodne Novine” from 23rd April to 5th May 1941
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