It was founded by Heritage Foundation founders and they hold power to influence research directions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victims_of_Communism_Memorial_...
Now the report is independently verified so it is legitimate, but that does not mean the foundation does not bring direct political influence in discussions. Heritage Foundation amongst other non-scientific stuff denies Climate Change, promotes theory of Voting Fraud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heritage_Foundation