A coalition of German parliamentarians from the FDP, SPD, CDU/CSU, and the Greens has reached an agreement on a bill aimed at improving the rehabilitation of victims of political persecution in the former East Germany. The parties announced the agreement in a joint statement on Tuesday afternoon, with the bill expected to be passed in the Bundestag by the end of the week.
The victims of political persecution in the former East Germany suffered severe and lasting consequences as a result of the repressive regime, with the consequences still being felt today, according to the bill’s rapporteurs. The parliamentarians from the SPD, CDU, FDP, and the Greens have agreed to support the victims more effectively, marking an important step in acknowledging the injustices of the SED regime.
The bill will establish a nationwide hardship fund, increase and dynamize the compensation for political prisoners and those who were persecuted in their profession, simplify the recognition of health damage caused by persecution, introduce a second appeal option, and enshrine compensation for forced expellees and victims of disinformation outside of East Germany. All participating parties had a strong interest in reaching an agreement before the end of the legislative period, as the group of eligible claimants is increasingly small due to age, the statement said.