The Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights and Minorities on October 12 accepted objections raised by the Association of Jewish Religious Communities (ZNO) and the Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters (ZPB) to the cabinet-tailored draft law on compensations for Slovak inhabitants deported to Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
The committee said it found the objections justified, and therefore agreed to change the law to compensate also people held in POW camps and people persecuted for their race or religion.
Justice Minister Ján Čarnogurský had earlier been told of the requested changes, but argued that Slovakia's poor financial situation would not allow the country to compensate more victims than had already been declared eligible.
According to the cabinet proposal, people will be eligible for compensation if they were deported between 1939 and 1945 to German concentration camps, or if they were detained on the basis of their nationality, race or religion. Those who qualify are to a receive financial compensation of 2,500 Slovak crowns for each month of deportation, and other money for damages incurred to health. If the deported person died, the surviving family would be entitled to a 100,000 crown compensation.
Over 70,000 Slovak citizens were deported to concentration camps during the war years and few returned home. According to the Justice Ministry draft, around 4,500 citizens are eligible for reimbursement.
