Croatian National Council
Encyclopedia
The Croatian National Council was a representative body of Croatian emigrant groups which operated from 1974 to the nation's independence in 1991.
At the Croatian Parliament held in Chicago
from November 23 to November 25, 1973 it was decided that a global body, representing groups calling for Croatian independence, would be formed in Toronto
, Canada
from February 1 to February 3, 1974.
The conference was held as planned. All major Croatian political parties and organizations, as well as many small ones, were represented except for the Croatian Peasant Party
and the Croatian Liberation Movement
. The Croatian National Council was officially formed here, and elected Ante Došen as president.
The HNV held its first Parliament in September of 1975, again in Toronto, where Dinko Šuljak was elected its premier. The second Parliament was in Brussels in 1977, which met with wide protest by Yugoslav officials. At this conference, Bruno Bušić
was elected into the HNV's Parliament and served in it until his assassination by Yugoslav secret police
in 1978.
In January of 1980 the third Parliament was held in London
. At this conference former Independent State of Croatia
(NDH) minister Vjekoslav Vrančić
arrived from Buenos Aires
to speak about how the HNV should not rely on the tradition of the NDH to deal with forming a new independent Croatian state. Moderates performed especially well at this Parliament's elections. Parliaments followed in 1982 in Toronto and 1984 in London.
The Croatian National Council met again every two years until its final two Parliaments in 1990. The first was held on schedule, while the second was a special Parliament which saw the HNV de facto disband itself after the first democratic elections in Croatia.
At the Croatian Parliament held in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
from November 23 to November 25, 1973 it was decided that a global body, representing groups calling for Croatian independence, would be formed in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from February 1 to February 3, 1974.
The conference was held as planned. All major Croatian political parties and organizations, as well as many small ones, were represented except for the Croatian Peasant Party
Croatian Peasant Party
The Croatian Peasant Party is a center and socially conservative political party in Croatia.-Austria-Hungary:The Croatian People's Peasant Party was formed on December 22, 1904 by Antun Radić along with his brother Stjepan Radić. The party contested elections for the first time in the Kingdom of...
and the Croatian Liberation Movement
Croatian Liberation Movement
The Croatian Liberation Movement is a right-wing party originally formed by Croatian emigrants and headed by former leaders of the Axis allied Independent State of Croatia in 1956.It was headed by Ante Pavelić, former leader of the NDH...
. The Croatian National Council was officially formed here, and elected Ante Došen as president.
The HNV held its first Parliament in September of 1975, again in Toronto, where Dinko Šuljak was elected its premier. The second Parliament was in Brussels in 1977, which met with wide protest by Yugoslav officials. At this conference, Bruno Bušić
Bruno Bušic
Ante Bruno Bušić was a Croatian writer and critic of Yugoslav communism. He was one of the best-known victims of UDBA killing.Bušić was born in the village of Vinjani Donji near Imotski...
was elected into the HNV's Parliament and served in it until his assassination by Yugoslav secret police
UDBA
The Department of State Security was the secret police organization of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.Although it operated with more restraint than other secret...
in 1978.
In January of 1980 the third Parliament was held in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. At this conference former Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
(NDH) minister Vjekoslav Vrančić
Vjekoslav Vrancic
Vjekoslav Vrančić was a member of the Croatian World War II Ustaše regime. As the undersecretary for the interior, he was responsible for the concentration camps set up in Croatia and the repressive acts of the police....
arrived from Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
to speak about how the HNV should not rely on the tradition of the NDH to deal with forming a new independent Croatian state. Moderates performed especially well at this Parliament's elections. Parliaments followed in 1982 in Toronto and 1984 in London.
The Croatian National Council met again every two years until its final two Parliaments in 1990. The first was held on schedule, while the second was a special Parliament which saw the HNV de facto disband itself after the first democratic elections in Croatia.