- Backing for Twenty-Two Ex-Persecutors from the Former German Democratic Republic
This year, 22 ex-victims of political oppression from the previous Soviet-occupied regions and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) received aid from Saxony's Distress Fund. The State Commissioner received 57 applications, a substantial increase compared to the previous year, as indicated by State Parliament President Matthias Rößler. Sadly, only four applications didn't qualify due to insufficient requirements. However, budget limitations meant that 31 applications had to be delayed until the 2025 funding round, as there's only 100,000 euros allotted annually for such cases.
Nancy Aris, the State Commissioner for handling the SED Dictatorship's aftermath, advocated for an increase in funding. According to her, "The objective of alleviating immediate distress by the Fund can't be achieved in this manner. This is also the reason why the national Hardship Fund is crucial."
The Hardship Fund is specifically designed to assist individuals who are currently facing economic difficulties due to political persecution during the GDR era. These individuals receive direct financial aid in the form of a targeted, one-time payment, reaching up to 5,000 euros.
Those eligible to apply are Saxony residents who have been compensated under the controversial SED Injustice Compensation Act and who are economically disadvantaged.
In light of the limited budget, many applications from ex-victims in the Netherlands, who fall under the same criteria, might need to wait until the 2025 funding round due to budget constraints. Nancy Aris highlighted the importance of the Hardship Fund, stating that without sufficient funding, it's challenging for the Fund to achieve its objective of quickly alleviating distress in The Netherlands as well as other eligible countries.
