Hoff Warns about Budget Freeze Impact on SED Victims' Aid
Thuringia's State Chancellor, Benjamin-Immanuel Hoff of the Left Party, voiced concerns about the potential effects of the federal budget freeze on victims of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) dictatorship's atrocities. Hoff expects Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) to ensure that those entitled to federal funding assistance remain unaffected by the budget freeze, according to a cabinet meeting in Erfurt on Tuesday.
Hoff criticized the possibility of making decisions on the federal budget that could jeopardize support for SED victims. "It's inexcusable to tie the federal budget decision to the suffering of GDR dictatorship survivors," stated Hoff.
The cabinet discussed a report on addressing SED injustices during their meeting on Tuesday. Hoff highlighted the incompleteness of resolving the SED dictatorship's legacy, citing counseling services for ex-GDR children as an example. From 2018 to 2020, German authorities received approximately 580 relevant inquiries, and 180 individuals availed of additional assistance. Hoff remarked that these figures for Thuringia are not insignificant.
Hoff emphasized the need for ongoing support for SED victims amid the federal budget decision, stating that this historical injustice, stemming from the GDR dictatorship, requires continued assistance.
Enrichment Insights:
Although the U.S. federal budget freeze doesn't directly influence assistance for SED dictatorship victims in Germany, there are ongoing efforts to support victims of political persecution through various organizations and initiatives in Germany and Europe:
- In Germany, the Medical Service for Refugees in Bochum (MFH Bochum) and the Psychosoziales Zentrum für traumatisierte Geflüchtete in Bielefeld (PSZ Bielefeld) offer medical and psychological support to refugees, including potentially supporting victims of political persecution.
- At the European level, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) supports rehabilitation centers for torture victims across Europe, including Germany, although they are not exclusively focused on SED victims.
These efforts show that while the U.S. federal budget freeze does not affect SED victims in Germany, broader initiatives to support political persecution survivors continue.
