Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Communist Germany Bars Documents for Indemnification Claims

Advertisement

The East German Ministry of Justice, it is learned here, instructed all notaries not to issue legal certifications pertaining to the death or last will of former East German residents, if such documents might be used for filing indemnification claims in West Germany.

East Germany makes few arrangements for restitution and indemnification to Nazi victims living within East Germany, and none for those who have emigrated. West German indemnification agencies, for their part, in certain cases require documents which notaries in East Germany are in a position to provide. The demand for such documents will increase under the terms of the amendment to the West Germany Federal Indemnification Law which, when it enters into force in July, will extend many Lenefits to former residents of East Germany.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement