Only a few homosexuals make use of the right to compensation for earlier persecution. For half a year, those affected can no longer seek benefits only for past convictions for homosexual acts, but also for investigations, pre-trial detention and other forms of discrimination.
On this new basis, 76 claims for compensation had been received by 1 September, the Federal Office of Justice said. Of these, compensation totaling € 84,000 was paid in 66 cases: 6,000 for criminal proceedings initiated, 7,500 for deprivation of liberty and 70,500 for professional, economic, health or similar disadvantages.
All cases summarized, since 2017, only 157 compensation applications have been made and paid 549,000 euros, said the Federal Office of Justice. The Rehabilitation Act was passed in 2017 and last revised - since March of this year there may be compensation for pre-trial detention.
However, for many people affected, the law came at least ten years too late, said Sigmar Fischer, member of the board of directors of the federal interest representation of gay seniors. Most of them are now very old and do not use the Internet, but mail, print media, radio and television.
Equality of homosexuals
Homosexual victims of justice were officially rehabilitated in 2017: previous sentences were revoked - except for sexual acts with people under the age of 16. Since then, the state has compensated those affected by applying for a lump sum of 3000 euros if it came to a conviction and with 1,500 euros per prison year started.
Irrespective of this, there is also 500 euros in compensation for each investigation initiated and 1,500 euros for those who suffered from exceptionally negative effects.
For decades, according to Article 175 of the Criminal Code, men in Germany could be convicted of consensual homosexual acts. The law had continued in the tightened by the National Socialists form until 1969 in the Federal Republic and had been completely abolished in 1994. In the GDR there was a similar rule.
According to the Ministry of Justice, nearly 70,000 people in East and West were sentenced after 1945 because of these legal regulations. Many other homosexuals would have endured investigations, have been in custody or have suffered significant professional, economic or health disadvantages.
