ࡱ> ]_^U@ 0wSbjbj (X&,8,\,,x!24  $"R$< ]KKK 2!;;;K| ;K ;;MM |M $H!0x!M8%C8%M,,M~8%dX;V") ,, 0 X,,0   HOLOCAUST ERA ASSETS CONFERENCE Prague, June 2009 Speech by Gideon Taylor Executive Vice President of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany The murderous assault on European Jewry that was the Holocaust included the greatest robbery in history. Jewish families and communities were systematically targeted and sustained immeasurable damage due to illegal seizures and destruction. It is a reflection of how thorough the Nazis and their allies were that, by the spring of 1943, hardly any Jewish victims remained alive in Poland and the countries of the Soviet Union. By that same time, there was almost no private property remaining in Jewish hands in occupied East Europe. In addition, before the Holocaust, in nearly every city or town in Central and East Europe, there were properties owned by Jewish communal or religious entities which were used by local Jews, for whom the institutions they housed were an integral part of daily life. Virtually all of these buildings as well were looted, confiscated or destroyed by the Germans or their allied regimes during World War II. After the defeat of the Nazis, during the period of communist control in parts of Europe, confiscated private property was not restored to its former owners but, typically, nationalized. Nor was communal or religious property critical to the revival of Jewish life and promoting the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage, returned to what remained of the devastated Jewish communities, or their successors. We cannot change any of that; we cannot change what happened. But the measure of the true values of a country, as it is for individuals, is how they respond to injustice. Thus, we canand musturge countries to take a hard look at the still unresolved issue of stolen assets, including real or immovable property, not yet returned to their rightful owners. And this Prague Conference provides all of us with a significant opportunity to deal with such unfinished business from the Holocaust era. Here, we can provide the impetus for further, necessary action by laying the framework for the return of, or compensation for, confiscated property that has not been restituted. What we say in Prague in terms of the declaration that will be issued on the principles and importance of restitution will reflect the aspirations of the Participating Nations, not only to democratic principles and to the rule of law, but also to honor the memory of the six million Jews, and millions of others, who perished at the hands of Nazi persecution. But what we do after Prague in terms of the mechanism we are willing to develop and support, to follow up, to make sure that we actually implement the principles that are promoted here -- will ultimately reveal whether we are truly committed to justice and fairness and to honoring those who were murdered by the Nazi regime In other words, we cannot allow the extensive interest this meeting will attract to the issue of restituting confiscated property, to shine brightly for a few days in June, then fade away, as we return home. The follow up to this conference is as if not more important than this gathering, or its statement of restitution principles. Thus, when we leave here, it is our responsibility, collectively, to press for permanent, ongoing monitoring of the principles declared here, and to convert aspirations into actions. We realize that, as we seek to bring a greater degree of justice, the results, for sure, will be imperfect and, no doubt, inadequate to the survivors. We should and do seek the return of all that was illegally taken. Nothing will bring back those who perished. Restitution is ultimately symbolic. But symbols count - as a matter of facing history; and as a matter of remembering those who were forced to endure the unspeakable. The symbols are part of the effort to link the survivors to what was theirs; to what was. While there have been positive steps taken, in certain places, relating to the restitution of immovable property seized during the Holocaust, progress in many Central and East European countries has been slow at best. Moreover, numerous countries have yet to enact meaningful legislation or, in the case of Poland, any legislation, that could restore stolen properties to former owners or their heirs. Poland was home to the largest pre-war Jewish population in Europe. It is a member of the EU, as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, both entities which stress the importance of property rights and the rule of law as pillars of democracy. Yet, to this day, Poland has been conspicuous in its failure to enact any restitution legislation regarding the return of, or compensation for, the private property which was seized during the Holocaust era and/or subsequently nationalized by its Communist regime. Last month, Poland published the latest in a series of draft laws dealing with compensation for nationalized private property. The proposed legislation is wholly inadequate. It is unclear whether all property seized during World War II is covered; it provides for virtually no in rem restitution; it does not include any Warsaw property; it does not specify the amount of compensation that will be paid to eligible claimants and, if they are eligible, payments will be paid in installments over a protracted period of time. It cannot be that, so many years after the Holocaust, and after the emergence from Communism, Poland cannot do better than that. Nonetheless, efforts in this area in recent years show that, though the task is arduous, it can bring positive results. In facing their responsibilities and addressing the issue of the restitution of confiscated real property, we will encourage countries to pass legislation and implement claims processes that incorporate certain basic principles. Firstly, laws must be non-discriminatory There should be no citizenship or residency requirement; if a person, or member of his/her family, owned property, s/he should be eligible to claim it, regardless of where they live or what passport they carry. Secondly, laws must cover property confiscated during the Holocaust Often, restitution or compensation laws include only property nationalized during the period of the Communist regime. Most formerly Jewish-owned property, however, was taken prior to Communist nationalization and must be covered by restitution laws. Thirdly, restitution should be in rem The actual property in issue should be returned whenever possible, particularly when the government (at whatever level) holds the property. Fourthly, substitute property or fair compensation must be provided when in rem restitution is not possible In the past, countries have often claimed that, because property has so often changed hands and buildings rebuilt, renovated or otherwise modified, it is impossible to restitute to the former owner. It is incumbent, therefore, for governments to provide alternate property of equal value and, if that too is not available, compensation to the former owner. Moreover, compensation should not mean a minimum token amount. It should mean the fair market value of the property. Fifthly, heirless formerly Jewish-owned property should be used to help Holocaust victims Many of the Jewish property owners and their family members were murdered, leaving much immovable property confiscated during the Holocaust era heirless. Such assets must be identified and used primarily to assist Holocaust survivors in need. Finally, the Claims Process: % Should be non-bureaucratic  The process should be simple, making it easy for all potential claimants  many are elderly, live in foreign countries, and are of modest means  to apply without legal obstacles and at no or low cost. % Should be fair  Minimal documentation should be required, especially when limited compensation is offered. In addition, rules relating to privacy, archival confidentiality and establishing that one is an heir must be simple, enabling claimants to establish property ownership and the right to claim quickly. % Should be easily accessible and transparent  An easily identifiable, centralized system should be established and/or designated to accept and process claims. This will also maximize uniformity of decision-making, as a complaint often heard in countries with restitution processes has to do with inconsistent decisions. Claims also should also be accepted over the internet and in multiple languages. Decisions should be made within a reasonable time after the claim is submitted and the reason(s) for decision should be clearly stated. % Should be efficient  Claims should be decided within a reasonable time after submission and restitution or compensation be delivered quickly. 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