Life Stories
The new Austrian exhibition at Auschwitz
Decisions of the Arbitration Panel
Acknowlegment of Victims
Background
During the NS regime in Austria between 1938 and 1945 thousands of people became victims of its violent persecution and anihilation policy. MORE Background
Decision-making: Victim recognition
In accordance with the elements of persecution named in Sec. 2 (1) item 1, the NF Law provides the opportunity for various groups of persons to be recognized as victims of National Socialism. This recognition is expressed through the gesture payment. Since 1995, in addition to people who already belong to a recognized group of victims, people who had until then failed to receive recognition were also gradually recognized on the basis of this provision. With its decisions, the National Fund was able to contribute to an increased socio-political sensitivity with regard to the perception of individual groups of victims and different forms of persecution. MORE Decision-making: Victim recognition
Eligibility for payments and filing applications
The following persons are eligible to receive token payments: those who were persecuted by the National Socialist regime on political grounds, grounds of origin, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, on grounds of a physical disability or mental handicap or on the basis of accusations of so-called asociality, or who in other ways fell victim to typically National Socialist injustice or left the country to escape such persecution. MORE Eligibility for payments and filing applications
Gesture Payment
The National Fund of the Republic of Austria awards a gesture payment of EUR 5,087.10 (ATS 70,000) as acknowledgement for the NS injustice suffered. MORE Gesture Payment
Additional Responsibilities
Life Stories
One of the main aims of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for the victims of National Socialism is to encourage debate within society regarding the circumstances and consequences of Nazi rule in Austria. By recording life stories, the years 1938 to 1945 will be documented from the victims' perspective. MORE Life Stories
Projects
Since 1996 the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for the Victims of National Socialism has been promoting projects that are both dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Nazi regime and for the benefit of the survivors of National Socialist persecution. MORE Projects
Compensation of Tenancy Rights
In 2001 the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism was put in charge of paying compensation for withdrawn tenancy rights, household property, personal valuables and effects, on the basis of the Washington Agreement. MORE Compensation of Tenancy Rights
Restitution of Art Works
In 1998/1999 the National Fund of the Republic of Austria was assigned by law the responsibility to dispose of art works "without heirs" that had been transferred from public property, for the benefit of NS victims. MORE Restitution of Art Works
Materials
National Fund Law
Federal Act on the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for the Victims of National Socialism [unofficial translation]* MORE National Fund Law
Fifteen Years National Fund of the Republic of Austria: Holocaust Remembrance and Responsibility in Austria
Speech by Secretary General Hannah Lessing at the Austrian Embassy in Washington DC on May 13 2010 7:30 pm. MORE Fifteen Years National Fund of the Republic of Austria: Holocaust Remembrance and Responsibility in Austria
1938 - 2008: Legacies and Lessons in post-war Austria
A lecture and discussion series, 2008/2009. Organised by the Austrian Embassy London, in co-operation with the Wiener Library and the Austrian Cultural Forum London. November 1938 marked the first pogrom in Nazi Germany. On Austrian territory, incorporated into Germany eight months earlier, this so called "Reichskristallnacht" was at least as brutal as in the rest of the Third Reich. November 1938 triggered the beginning of the "Kindertransport" to Great Britain, which rescued thousands of Austrian Jewish children. Seventy years later, November 2008 has presented an important occasion for Austrians to confront the past and address some crucial questions: MORE 1938 - 2008: Legacies and Lessons in post-war Austria