Source
To the Committee of the Anti-Fascist Resistance Fighters
Berlin, June 4, 1958
Dear Comrades!
On this question, the position of the Ministry, which is known to all state notary offices and independent notaries in the GDR, without there being a circular decree or published directive, is as follows:
The Federal Compensation Law regulates the compensation claims of individuals who were persecuted for their anti-Nazi convictions. In West Germany, however, since the conclusion of the Paris War Treaties, redress has been turned into its opposite. The Federal Compensation Law states that compensation benefits will not be granted, or will be withdrawn, if the persons in question are fighting against the “basic liberal-democratic order.” All of the German patriots and resistance fighters who are currently continuing their struggle against fascism and militarism in West Germany are receiving no compensation payments. For that reason, the state notary office cannot support the compensation measures. The only people who receive large compensation sums are those who agree with Bonn’s war course. Exceptions can be made in special cases.
To this day, the stance of our state organs has been consistently implemented. To the extent that exceptions were necessary, when it was a matter of securing the livelihood of especially active comrades or other workers, arrangements were made in every single case, partly with the Central Committee of the SED.
You are kindly asked to take note of this.
Dr. Helm
Department Chief
Source: SAPMO-BArch, DY 57, K 12/5; reprinted in Dierk Hoffmann and Michael Schwartz, eds., Geschichte der Sozialpolitik in Deutschland. Bd. 8: 1949–1961: Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Im Zeichen des Aufbaus des Sozialismus. Baden-Baden: Nomos, 2004, no. 8/183.