- More money for victims of the SED regime
The Federal Government aims to provide stronger financial support to the victims of the SED dictatorship. To this end, the cabinet has initiated a bill in the circulation procedure, which includes provisions for a hardship fund and an annual increase in victim pensions. Now, the Bundestag must decide on the initiative by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP).
The proposed hardship fund for those affected is set to have a volume of one million euros. Pensions for former DDR prisoners and those persecuted professionally will increase annually on July 1st, like other pensions. Additionally, a one-time compensation of 1,500 euros is planned for those who were forced to relocate from the border region to the interior of the DDR after the border was sealed.
"Even for past state injustice in the DDR, we continue to take responsibility," said Buschmann. Given the tense budget situation, this is a "notable package of measures." However, the SED Victims' Commissioner Evelyn Zupke criticized that the improvements were not sufficient after the plans became known.
Bill of the Federal Government Press Release of the Ministry of Justice
The Commission, as outlined in the bill, shall adopt the decision to establish the hardship fund and the annual pension increase for victims of the SED dictatorship. In light of the Commission's decision, Evelyn Zupke, the SED Victims' Commissioner, has expressed her concerns about the proposed improvements being insufficient.
