Chronicle of Events This headline can be rephrased as "Recounting the Past: A Documentation of Events." - Zupke calls for improved support for SED survivors.
Over three decades since the demise of East Germany (Deutsche Demokratische Republik), Evelyn Zupke, the SED Victims Commissioner, notes that many individuals are still experiencing health and financial troubles resulting from their past persecution. She conveyed this during her yearly update on Thursday. The Justice Minister, Marco Buschmann (FDP), intends to revamp the aid program, but Zupke finds it inadequate.
"The experience of injustice and political violence in East Germany doesn't just vanish and leave these individuals to return to regular life afterwards," according to Zupke. "The impact of East German injustice lingers on, affecting their social status and often severely impaired health."
She estimated that there are around 250,000 political prisoners, 138,000 foster kids, and 100,000 people who endured career setbacks due to the persecution during East Germany's time. Several of the persecuted have tragically passed away. Presently, about 38,000 people are on the SED Victims Pension list, and a further 20,000 are receiving other forms of support. The Federal Government has so far contributed 160 million Euro towards the SED Victims Pension.
Anxiety Disorders and Sleep Issues After Decades
Acknowledging advancements in the Coalition Agreement, which Buschmann is now implementing, the intended changes include approximately four million Euro in added yearly funds and a one-time payment of 720,000 Euro for about 400 people who were expelled from the border region during East Germany's rule.
However, Zupke considers the proposal inadequate. She wants health issues arising from persecution to be more easily recognized, aligning with how conditions originating from military service are handled.
She described the case of a woman from Northern Germany who was jailed in East Germany after applying for asylum and was later released by the newly formed West Germany. Decades later, she developed anxiety and sleep problems and sought help. "The office didn't see any connection," Zupke reported. She urges for the implementation of "a presumption of causation": If people can prove they were persecuted and later developed specific health issues, a connection should be assumed.
Criticism from the Justice Ministry
In addition, she criticizes the delay in the dynamic adjustment of the Victims Pension – an annual adjustment based on age pensions – that is expected to be implemented in 2025. The pension amount is anticipated to rise by nine Euro per month. This comes five and a half years after the last increase. "The pensions of Stasi officers have increased by more than 25% during the same timeframe, while the Victims Pension only increased by three to four percent," the Victims Commissioner argued. She wants the 330 Euro Victims Pensions raised before the dynamic adjustment is enforced.
The Federal Justice Ministry dismissed the demands. The recognition process for health consequences of political persecution has been improved, and this was done through the reform of the Social Compensation Law, effective from January 2024. Regarding the criticism of the 2025 dynamic adjustment, a spokeswoman claimed the Coalition Agreement didn't call for a retroactive implementation. The limited financial resources also restrict their options.
Annual Report of the SED Victims Commissioner 2024 Draft from the Federal Justice Ministry.
Read also:
- Evelyn Zupke, the SED Victims Commissioner, emphasizes the need for better support for survivors of the Communist regime in East Germany, stating that many still suffer from the aftermath of their persecution.
- In response to Zupke's call, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann of the FDP intends to revise the aid program for SED survivors, but Zupke finds the proposals insufficient.
- Zupke highlights the long-lasting impact of East German injustice on the social status and health of survivors, estimating that there are around 250,000 political prisoners, 138,000 home children, and 100,000 individuals who suffered career setbacks due to persecution during the GDR era.
- According to Zupke, a woman from Northern Germany who was jailed and later released after applying for asylum developed anxiety and sleep problems decades later, but the office failed to recognize the connection between her past persecution and her health issues.
- In her annual report, Zupke criticizes the delay in the annual adjustment of the Victims Pension, which is expected to be implemented in 2025, and calls for an increase in the pension amount before the adjustment takes effect.
- The Justice Ministry dismisses Zupke's demands, claiming that improvements have been made through the reform of the Social Compensation Law, which will take effect in January 2024, and citing limited financial resources.
