Many people still suffer from the consequences of the SED dictatorship. In the annual report, Commissioner Zupke sees progress in supporting victims, but calls for further steps.
The report is entitled “The Long Shadow of the SED Dictatorship”, meaning that many people continue to suffer the consequences of political persecution decades after the fall of the GDR. The article describes the situation of political prisoners, former children in guardianship, forcibly deported, victims of forced adoption and persons affected by forced labor in prison.
The representative of the SED victims in the Bundestag, Evelyn Zupke, emphasizes: “When a dictatorship collapses, the dictatorship goes away, but the consequences remain – and this can be seen for decades.”
Many of those affected still suffer from medical, psychological or social consequences. Others continue to wait for recognition or compensation.
Compensation after forced doping
The annual report also shows progress. He mentions improvements in compensation payments, recognition of health damage caused by stalking, and through a nationwide victim assistance fund.
Zupke still sees a need for further action. In their opinion, victims of forced doping in the GDR especially need better support. According to her, compensation is necessary for health damage, from which victims are still suffering en masse today. The process of combating forced labor in prisons must also progress.
Zupke also calls for more information about the SED dictatorship and its consequences. The memory of injustice must not fade.