Fulfilling the Terezin Declaration and Immovable Property Restitution
Michael J. Bazyler
Kathryn Lee Boyd
Kristen L. Nelson
Rajika L. Shah
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bazyler, Michael J., author. | Boyd, Kathryn Lee, author. | Nelson, Kristen (Lawyer), author. | Shah, Rajika, author.
Title: Searching for Justice after the Holocaust : fulfilling the Terezin declaration and immovable property restitution / Michael Bazyler, Kathryn Lee Boyd, Kristen Nelson, Rajika Shah.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018019063 | ISBN 9780190923068 ((hardback) : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues (2009 June 30) | World War, 1939–1945—Claims. | Jewish property. | Holocaust, Jewish (1939–1945)—Economic aspects.
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018019063
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In memory of victims of mass murder and mass theft, which take place during every genocide and other mass atrocity and
To Halyna Senyk, former Executive Director of the European Shoah Legacy Institute, whose vision led to the Holocaust (Shoah) Immovable Property Restitution Study and this book
Foreword
HOW TO DO JUSTICE TO JUSTICE?
There is a general assumption that people at their core are good, given ordinary circumstances. In the early part of the twentieth century during the two world wars, circumstances were, however, quite extraordinary, in fact extraordinarily horrible for some. Since the end of the Second World War, our modern civilization has been grappling with the reality of the Holocaust’s blunt traumatic blow to our assumptions of humanity’s goodness. Through many attempts, the postwar democracies consoled their hurt consciences by restoring a modicum of justice. Yet the results were unsatisfying and inadequate. There remains much unfinished business in the aftermath of the Holocaust. However, it is not right to be dispirited. On the contrary, this unfinished business spurs and encourages our collective imagination to persevere and hope that we, as people, still can be in principle good—without forgetting anything or forgiving everything. Moreover, we realize our human efforts can only approximate a Platonic justice. There is not, and should not be, any silver bullet, magic formula, or quick fix for full restoration of post-Holocaust losses. Within this post-modern realization of our imperfect collective “goodness,” we strive.
From this vantage point, the Czech Republic in 2009, while holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, convened the International Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague. This conference led to the adoption of the Terezin Declaration, endorsed by all 47 participating countries, in which these nations committed themselves to ensuring assistance, redress, and remembrance for victims of Nazi persecution.
The European Shoah Legacy Institute, created in 2010, strived over the following seven years to carry out activities addressing several key post-Holocaust issues included in the Terezin Declaration: restitution of immovable property, art, Judaica, and Jewish cultural assets stolen by the Nazis; social welfare for Holocaust survivors and other victims of Nazism; and the promotion of Holocaust education, research, and remembrance, in order to help with the process of restoration of justice.
In 2017, after exploiting its full potential, the work of ESLI ended and its individual partner states remain committed to carrying out its objectives. This Study, which ESLI initiated and financed using respective Israeli and U.S. grants, is an important legacy of ESLI, and ensures that its results and materials are available to all who are interested. May it be found as useful in our common striving for restored justice.
Ambassador Tomáš Kafka, Chair of the Administrative Board of the European Shoah Legacy Institute (2014–2018)
Acknowledgments
Preparation and publication of this Study was a four-year journey. Along the way, hundreds of people generously assisted us in many ways, big and small. We acknowledge their contributions with gratitude and appreciation.
There are individuals and organizations without whom the Study would not have been possible. First, the enthusiastic support and assistance of five major law firms, whose pro bono assistance was crucial to the success of the Study. The law firm attorneys who supervised these pro bono efforts are Lauren Schmidt at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP; Amber Fitzgerald at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Seth Gerber at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; David Lash at O’Melveny & Meyers LLP; and Owen Pell at White & Case LLP. We give our heartfelt thanks to the dozens of lawyers throughout these law firms who contributed hundreds of pro bono hours to this effort and started us on our way. Each is named individually in the bibliography of the country chapter they worked on. We also thank Stan Levy at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP for his support over the years. Stan, who has devoted years to obtaining a modicum of justice for Holocaust survivors, came up with the brilliant idea of getting pro bono assistance from law firms in the massive effort to compile restitution laws from the 47 countries that signed on to the Terezin Declaration.
The Study also benefited from the able work of numerous volunteer law student interns from the Fowler School of Law at Chapman University and the University of Houston Law Center: Ren Henry, Kirill Nielson, D’Andrea Sykes, Garrett Schiponi, and Elaine Turner.
The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) provided invaluable advice and assistance throughout this process. Their expertise in the field of Holocaust immovable property restitution, deep connections with local Jewish community groups, and keen understanding of governmental affairs helped us to better appreciate the context of current Holocaust-era property restitution efforts. In particular, Evan Hochberg and Gideon Taylor gave generously of their time and knowledge.
We also thank the Oxford University Press, our editor Blake Ratcliff, assistant editor David Lipp, and editor-in-chief John Louth for recognizing the valuable contribution the Study makes to the field of Holocaust property restitution, as well as wider developments in the international law of property restitution following mass atrocities.
Finally, we turn to those who conceived of and sponsored the Study: the European Shoah Legacy Institute (ESLI), which commissioned the Study; the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Czech Republic, which established ESLI as a Prague-based NGO in 2010 following the issuance of the Terezin Declaration, and Czech Ambassador Tomáš Kafka, Chair of the Administrative Board of ESLI. They are all to be commended for their tireless and unwavering support in ensuring that this Study reached completion. The Study was their brainchild, and it forms a lasting part of their legacy. Publication of this Study will, we hope, help to ensure that states’ compliance with the Terezin Declaration remains in the spotlight for years to come.
Table of Cases
ALBANIA
Bushati v. Albania, ECHR, App no 6397/04, 8 December 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 3
Driza v. Albania, ECHR, App no 33771/02, 13 November 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 3
Ramadhi v. Albania, ECHR, App no 38222/02, 13 November 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 3
AUSTRIA
Anderman v. Fed. Republic of Austria, 256 F. Supp. 2d 1098 (C.D. Cal. 2003) (U.S.) 23
Avramova v. United States, 354 F. Supp. 420 (S.D.N.Y. 1973) (U.S.) 73
Kehaya and ors v. Bulgaria, ECHR, App nos 47797/99 & 68698/01, 12 January 2006 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 72
Todorova and ors v. Bulgaria, ECHR, App no 48380/99, 24 July 2008 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 72
Velikovi and ors v. Bulgaria, ECHR, App no 43278/98, 9 July 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 71
CROATIA
Gottwald-Markušić v. Croatia, ECHR, App no 49049/06, 30 March 2010 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 92
Kolarić-Kišur v. Croatia, ECHR, App no 17129/05, 17 September 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 92
Pavlinović v. Croatia, ECHR, App nos 17124/05 and 17126/05, 3 September 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 92
Smoje v. Croatia, ECHR, App no 28074/03, 11 January 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 92
Tomašić v. Croatia, ECHR, App no 39867/07, 19 November 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 92
CYPRUS
Xenides-Arestis v. Turkey, ECHR, App no 46347/99, 22 December 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 99
CZECH REPUBLIC
Ústavní soud České republiky (ÚS-st.) (Constitutional Court), Nov. 1, 2005, Sp.zn Pl.ÚS-st. 21/05 #1, Sdělení č. 477/2005 Sb., ST 21/39 SbNU 493 [Kinsky case] 111
ESTONIA
Shestjorkin v. Estonia, ECHR, App no 49450/99, 15 June 2000 128
FRANCE
Bodner v. Banque Paribas, Case No. 29 Civ. 7433 (E.D.N.Y. filed Dec. 7, 1997) (U.S.) 144
GERMANY
BGH, NJW 1956, 265 (1956) 160
Decision of the Board of Review of 29 April 1954, decisions of the Board of Review, BOR/53/623, part number 20, p. 41 159
Heir of Dr. Hans Sachs v. German Historical Museum (BGH NJW 2012, 1796) 163
Hugo Hertz v. Marie Louise Klein (Decision of the Wiedergutmachungskammer of 23 April 1952, WgA LG HH, Z 10) 159
HUNGARY
Abelesz v. Magyar Nemzeti Bank, No. 10 C 1884, 2013 WL 4525435, (N.D. Ill. Aug. 20, 2013) (U.S.) 187
Alkotmánybíróság (AB) [Constitutional Court], Mar. 12, 1993 [Decision of the Constitutional Court of Hungary No. 15/1993. (III.12.). Magyar Közlöny (MK) 29/1993] 186
Alkotmánybíróság (AB) [Constitutional Court], Mar. 12, 1993 [Decision of the Constitutional Court of Hungary No. 16/1993. (III.12.). Magyar Közlöny (MK) 29/1993] 186 de Csepel v. Republic of Hungary, 169 F. Supp. 3d 143 (D.D.C. 2016), aff’d in part, appeal dismissed in part and remanded, 859 F.3d 1094 (D.C. Cir. 2017), petition for cert docketed, No. 17-1165 (U.S. Feb. 21, 2018) (U.S.) 187
Fischer v. Magyar Államvasutak Zrt., 777 F.3d 847 (7th Cir. 2015) cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 2817 (2015) (mem.) (U.S.) 187
Kántor v. Hungary, ECHR, App no 458/03, 22 November 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 187
Rosner v. United States, 231 F. Supp. 2d 1202 (S.D. Fla. 2002) (U.S.) 187
Simon v. Republic of Hungary, 812 F.3d 127 (D.C. Cir. 2016) (U.S.) 187
ISRAEL
Daniel Mayer v. Hashava, The State of Israel and the Administrator General, Israel Supreme Court, 24 Nov. 2014 197
Hashava v. Nahlat Yehuda Ltd., Jerusalem District Court, 26 May 2015 197
LATVIA
Kozlova v. Latvia, ECHR, App no 57381/00, 23 October 2001 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 218
LITHUANIA
Aleksa v. Lithuania, ECHR, App no 27576/05, 21 July 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 233
Igarienė v. Lithuania, ECHR, App no 26892/05, 21 July 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 234
Jasiūnienė v. Lithuania, ECHR, App no 41510/98, 6 March 2003 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 234
Jurevičius v. Lithuania. ECHR, App no 30165/02, 14 November 2006 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 229
On the Interpretation of the Provisions of the Constitutional Court’s Rulings of 30 December 2003 and 13 November 2006 Related to Citizenship Issues, No. 40/03; 45/03-36/04, Constitutional Court of Republic of Lith., 13 March 2013 231
On the Restoration of the Ownership Rights of Citizens of Land, No. 12/93, Constitutional Court of Republic of Lith., 27 May 1994 229
On the Restoration of the Ownership Rights of Citizens to Residential Houses, No. 11-1993 & 9-1994, Constitutional Court of Republic of Lith., 15 June 1994 229
On the Restoration of the Ownership Rights of Citizens to Residential Houses, No. 10/94, Constitutional Court of Republic of Lith., 19 October 1994 229
Padalevičius v. Lithuania, ECHR, App no 12278/03, 7 July 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 234
Shub v. Lithuania, ECHR, App no 17064/06, 30 June 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 232
MACEDONIA
Adži- Spirkoska v. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App no 38914/05, 3 November 2011 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
Brajevik v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App no 58408/10, 18 September 2012 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
Mitevska v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App no 6526/14, 6 October 2015 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
Nelčeska v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App nos 20988/05, 20599/08, 29830/08, 57088/08, 60140/08, 43713/09, 57948/09, 19 March 2013 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
Velevska v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App no 42886/07, 6 May 2014 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
Veljanovski v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ECHR, App no 11190/07, 13 March 2012 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 259
MOLDOVA
Baibarac v. Moldova, ECHR, App no 31530/03, 15 November 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 270
Popov v. Moldova, ECHR, App no 19960/04, 6 December 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 269
Prepelită v. Moldova, ECHR, App no 2914/02, 23 September 2008 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 270
Prodan v. Moldova, ECHR, App no 49806/99, 25 April 2006 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 269
Scutari v. Moldova, ECHR, App no 20864/03, 26 July 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 270
MONTENEGRO
Eparhija Budimljansko-Nikšićka v. Montenegro, ECHR, App no 26501/05, 9 October 2012 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 279
Vuković v. Montenegro, ECHR, App no 18626/11, 27 November 2012 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 282
POLAND
Broniowski v Poland, ECHR, App no 31443/96, 22 June 2004 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 339, 343
Broniowski v. Poland, ECHR, App no 31443/96, 28 September 2005 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 344
E.K. v. Poland (App no III CZP 82/05) Supreme Court of Poland, 24 November 2005 333
Garb v. Republic of Poland, 207 F. Supp. 2d 16 (E.D.N.Y. 2002), vacated, 72 F. App’x 850 (2d Cir. 2003), cert. granted, judgment vacated and remanded, 542 U.S. 901 (2004), 440 F.3d 579 (2d Cir. 2006) (U.S.) 338
Brezny v. Slovakia, ECHR, App no 23131/93, 4 March 1996 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 407
Jantner v. Slovakia, ECHR, App no 39050/97, 4 March 2003 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 407
Rosival v. Slovakia, ECHR, App no 17684/02, 13 February 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 408
Rosival v. Slovakia, ECHR, App no 17684/02, 23 September 2008 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 408
SLOVENIA
Grzinčič v. Slovenia, ECHR, App no 26867/02, 3 May 2007 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 426
Sirc v. Slovenia, ECHR, App no 44580/98, 8 April 2008 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 425
Smiljanić v. Slovenia, ECHR, App no 481/04, 2 June 2009 (Eur. Ct. H.R.) 424
SWITZERLAND
In re Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation, No. 1:96-CV-04849 (E.D.N.Y.) (U.S.) 443
UNITED STATES
Abelesz v. Magyar Nemzeti Bank, No. 10 C 1884, 2013 WL 4525435 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 20, 2013) 472
Altmann v. Republic of Austria, 317 F.3d 954 (9th Cir. 2002), amending opinion on denial of rehearing, 327 F.3d 1246 (9th Cir. 2003), affirming on other grounds, Altmann v. Rep. of Austria, 541 U.S. 677 (2004) 464, 472
Anderman v. Federal Republic of Austria, 256 F. Supp. 2d 1098 (C.D. Cal. 2003) 23
Avramova v. United States, 354 F. Supp. 420 (S.D.N.Y. 1973) 73
Cassirer v. Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Found., 153 F. Supp. 3d 1148 (C.D. Cal. 2015), rev’d and remanded, 862 F.3d 951 (9th Cir. 2017) 472
de Csepel v. Republic of Hungary, 169 F. Supp. 3d 143 (D.D.C. 2016), aff’d in part, appeal dismissed in part and remanded, 859 F.3d 1094 (D.C. Cir. 2017), petition for cert docketed, No. 17-1165 (U.S. Feb. 21, 2018) 187
Fischer v. Magyar Államvasutak Zrt., 777 F.3d 847 (7th Cir. 2015) cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 2817 (2015) (mem.) 472
Garb v. Republic of Poland, 207 F. Supp. 2d 16 (E.D.N.Y. 2002), vacated, 72 F. App’x 850 (2d Cir. 2003), cert. granted, judgment vacated sub nom. Republic of Austria v. Whiteman, 542 U.S. 901 (2004), and cert. granted, judgment vacated and remanded, 542 U.S. 901, (2004), 440 F.3d 579 (2d Cir. 2006) 338
Haven v. Polska, 215 F.3d 727 (7th Cir. 2000) 338
Holocaust Victim Assets Litigation, In re No. 1:96-CV-04849 (E.D.N.Y.) 443
Rosner v. United States, 231 F. Supp. 2d 1202 (S.D. Fla. 2002) 187
Simon v. Republic of Hungary, 812 F.3d 127 (D.C. Cir. 2016) 472
Victims of Hungarian Holocaust v. Hungarian State Rys., 798 F. Supp. 2d 934 (N.D. Ill. 2011), vacated and remanded sub nom. Abelesz v. Magyar Nemzeti Bank, 692 F.3d 661 (7th Cir. 2012), aff’d sub nom. Fischer v. Magyar Allamvasutak Zrt., 777 F.3d 847 (7th Cir. 2015) 472
Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena, No. 2:07-CV-02866 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 15, 2016), appeal filed, No. 16-56308 (9th Cir. Sept. 9, 2016) 472
Ligj Nr. 7501, 19.7.1991 [Law No. 7501, 19 July 1991] Për Tokën [On Land]. Gazeta Zyrtare [Official Gazette] No. 5, August 1991 3
Ligj Nr. 7512, 10.8.1991 [Law No. 7512, 10 August 1991] Për sanksionimin dhe mbrojtjen e pronës private, të nismës së lirë, të veprimtarive private të pavarura dhe privatizimit [On Sanctioning and Protecting Private Property and Free Initiative, Private Independent Activities, and Privatization] Gazeta Zyrtare [Official Gazette] No. 6, August 1991 3
Ligj Nr. 7652, 23.12.1992 [Law No. 7652, 23 December 1992] Për privatizimin e banesave shtetërore [On Privatization of State Housing] Fletorja Zyrtare [Official Gazette] No. 10, December 1992 3
Ligj Nr. 7698, 15.4.1993 [Law No. 7698, 15 April 1993] Për kthimin dhe kompesimin e pronave ishpronarëve [On Restitution and Compensation of Property to the Former Owners] Fletorja Zyrtare [Official Gazette] No. 5, April 1993 3
Ligj Nr. 9235, 29.7.2004 [Law No. 9235, 29 July 2004] Për kthimin dhe kompensimin e pronës [On Restitution and Compensation of Property, as amended] Fletorja Zyrtare [Official Gazette] No. 61, August 2004 3
ARGENTINA
Law No. 24.488, 31 May 1995, B.O. 28.173, Inmunidad Jurisdiccional de Los Estados Extranjeros Ante Los Tribunales Argentinos [Jurisdictional Immunity of the Foreign States before the Argentinian Courts] 7
AUSTRALIA
Foreign States Immunities Act 1985 9
AUSTRIA
Erfassung arisierter und anderer im Zusammenhange mit der nationalsozialistischen Machtübernahme entzogenen Vermögenschaften [Law on the Recording of Aryanized and Other Property Confiscated in Connection with National Socialist Seizure of Power], STAATSGESETZBLATT [StGBl] No. 10/1945, as amended, [19/1945, 23/1945, 135/1945, 201/1945, 150/1946] 15, 16
Auffangorganisationengesetz [Federal Act of 13 March 1957 on the Creation of Receiving Organizations Pursuant to Article 26 section 2 of the State Treaty, Federal Law Gazette No. 152/1955] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 73/1957 25–26
Aufteilung der Mittel der “Sammelstellen” [Distribution of Funds of “Collection Agencies”] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 108/1962 26
Entschädigungsfondsgesetz [Compensation Fund Act] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl I] No. 12/2001, as amended 20
Einrichtung des Fonds zur Instandsetzung der jüdischen Friedhöfe in Österreich sowie Änderung des Nationalfondsgesetzes [Establishment of a Fund for the Restoration of the Jewish Cemeteries in Austria] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl I] No. 99/2010, as amended 25
Finanzielle Leistungen an die israelitische Religionsgesellschaft [Federal Act for the Financial Support of the Israelite Religious Community] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 222/1960 24
Kundmachung des Reichsstatthalters in Österreich, wodurch die Verordnung über die Anmeldung des Vermögens von Juden vom 26. April 1938 bekanntgemacht wird [Ordinance on the Registration of Jewish Property] Gesetzblatt für das Land Österreich [GblÖ] No. 102/1938, § 3 14
Nationalfonds der Republik Österreich für Opfer des Nationalsozialismus [Federal Law on the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 432/1995 18
Nichtigerklärung von Rechtsgeschäften und sonstigen Rechtshandlungen, die während der deutschen Besetzung Österreichs erfolgt sind [Annulment Law] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 106/1946 15
Rückstellungsanspruchsgesetz [Federal Law of 17 May 1961 Law Concerning Registration of Claims by Receiving Organizations for the Restitution of Property under the Restitution Acts] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 133/1961 15, 16, 17, 26
Verfügungstellung von Bundesmitteln zur Bildung eines Fonds zur Abgeltung von Vermögensverlusten politisch Verfolgter [Compensation Fund Law] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 100/1961 18 Zweites Rückstellungsgesetz [Second Restitution Act] Bundesgesetzblatt [BGBl] No. 53/1947 15, 16, 24
BELARUS
[Resolution of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Belarus On Enactment of the Regulation on the Procedure for Restoration of Rights of Citizens Affected by the Repressions in 1920s–1980s] No. 479-XІІ of 21 December 1990. Nat’l Reg. No. 4/1880. Vedamastsi Viarkhounaha saveta Respubliki Belarus [Official Gazette of Belarus] No. 1(3) of 1991 31–32
[On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations] No. 2054-XII of 17 December 1992, as amended. Nat’l Reg. No. 2/366 32
[Resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus On Practice of Adjudication of Disputes Related to the Private Property on Residential Buildings] No. 5 of 4 June 1993. Nat’l Reg. No. 6/146. Судовы веснік [Judicial Gazette] No. 3 of 1993 31
BELGIUM
Loi relative au dédommagement des membres de la Communaute´ juive de Belgique pour les biens dont ils ont e´te´ spolie´s ou qu’ils ont de´laisse´s pendant la guerre 1940-1945 [Indemnification of Belgian Jewish Community Assets Plundered or Abandoned During the War 1940-45] of 20 December 2001, Moniteur Belge [M.B.] [Official Gazette of Belgium], 24 January 2002, at 2402 40
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, REPUBLIC OF, & SRPSKA, REPUBLIC OF See also Yugoslavia
Republic of Srpska
[1996 Law on Return of Seized Property & Law on Return of Seized Land] Službeni Glasnik RS [Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska] No. 21/96 [23 September 1996] 46, 52, 82
Закон
[2000 Law on the Return of Confiscated Property and Confiscation] Službeni Glasnik RS [Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska] No. 13/00 [25 May 2000] 46, 53
BiH
Zakon o Prodaji Stanova Na Kojima Postoji Stanarsko Pravo [1998 Law on Sale of Apartments with Occupancy Right] Službene novine Federacije BiH [Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina] No. 27/97, as amended, 11/98, 22/99, 27/99, 7/00, 32/01 53
Zakon o Slobodi Vjere I Pravnom Položaju Crkava I Vjerskih Zajednica U Bosni I Hercegovini [Law on Religious Freedom and Legal Position of Churches and Religious Communities] Službeni glasnik Bosne i Hercegovine [Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina] No. 5/04 46
BULGARIA
See also Macedonia
[Law on the Compensation of Owners of Nationalized Assets, as amended] State Gazette No. 107 of 18 November 1997 62, 70 Закон
[Law on Ownership and Use of Agricultural Land] State Gazette No. 17 of 1 March 1991 62, 67 Закон
[Law on Restitution of Property over Forests and the Lands from the Forest Fund] State Gazette No. 110 of 25 November 1997 62, 69 Закон
[Law on the Restitution of Nationalized Immovable (Real) Property] State Gazette No. 15 of 21 February 1992 62, 69
CANADA
State Immunity Act, R.S.C., 1985, c S-18 79
CROATIA
See also Yugoslavia
Zakon o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o naknadi za imovinu oduzetu za vrijeme jugoslavenske komunističke vladavine [Amendment to Law No. 92/96 on Restitution/Compensation of Property Taken under the Yugoslav Communist Rule] Narodne Novine [Official Gazette of Croatia] 80/2002 No. 1292, 5 July 2002 89
Zakon o naknadi za imovinu oduzetu za vrijeme jugoslavenske komunističke vladavine [Law No. 92/96 on Restitution/Compensation of Property Taken under the Yugoslav Communist Rule] Narodne Novine [Official Gazette of Croatia] 92/1996, No. 1600, 11 October 1996, as amended 82
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
See also Czech Republic; Slovakia
Dekret presidenta republiky o neplatnosti některých majetkově-právních jednání z doby nesvobody a o národní správě majetkových hodnot Němců, Maďarů, zrádců a kolaborantů a některých organisací a ústavů [Decree No. 5/1945 Concerning the Invalidity of Transactions Involving Property Rights from the Time of the Oppression and Concerning the National Administration of Property Assets of Germans, Magyars, Traitors and Collaborationists and of Certain Organizations and Associations]. Dekret č. 5/1945 Sb. 107
Zákon o neplatnosti některých majetkově-právních jednání z doby nesvobody a o nárocích z této neplatnosti a z jiných zásahů do majetku vzcházejících [Law No. 128/1946 on the Invalidity of Certain PropertyRelated Legal Acts Taken in the Period of Non-Freedom and on Claims Arising from Such Invalidity and Other Interference with Property]. Zákon č. 128/1946 Sb. 107–108
CZECH REPUBLIC
See also Czechoslovakia; Slovakia
Table of Legislation
Dekret presidenta republiky o neplatnosti některých majetkově-právních jednání z doby nesvobody a o národní správě majetkových hodnot Němců, Maďarů, zrádců a kolaborantů a některých organisací a ústavů [Decree No. 5/1945 Concerning the Invalidity of Transactions Involving Property Rights from the Time of the Oppression and Concerning the National Administration of Property Assets of Germans, Magyars, Traitors and Collaborationists and of Certain Organizations and Associations]. Dekret č. 5/1945 Sb. 107
Nález Ústavního soudu ze dne 3. června 1998 ve věci návrhu na zrušení části ustanovení § 13 odst. 3 zákona č. 87/1991 Sb., o mimosoudních rehabilitacích, ve slovech “ode dne účinnosti tohoto zákona” [Constitutional Law No. 153/1998]. Nález č. 153/1998 Sb. 109, 406
Zákon České národní rady o působnosti orgánů České republiky v mimosoudních rehabilitacích [Czech National Council Law No. 231/1991 on the Competence of the Czech Republic in Restitution]. Zákon č. 231/1991 Sb. 108
Zákon České národní rady, kterým se upravují některé otázky související se zákonem č. 229/1991 Sb., o úpravě vlastnických vztahů k půdě a jinému zemědělskému majetku, ve znění zákona č. 93/1992 Sb. [Act No. 243/1992 on Restitution]. Zákon č. 243/1992 Sb. 109, 110, 407
Zákon o mimosúdnych rehabilitáciách [Act No. 87/1991 Rehabilitation Law, as amended]. Zákon č. 87/1991 Sb. 108, 109
Zákon o neplatnosti některých majetkově-právních jednání z doby nesvobody a o nárocích z této neplatnosti a z jiných zásahů do majetku vzcházejících [Law No. 128/1946 on the Invalidity of Certain PropertyRelated Legal Acts Taken in the Period of Non-Freedom and on Claims Arising from such Invalidity and Other Interference with Property]. Zákon č. 128/1946 Sb. 107–108
Zákon o poskytnutí jednorázové peněžní částky některým obětem nacistické perzekuce [Act No. 217/1994 Concerning Lump-Sum Payments to Certain Victims of Nazi Persecution]. Zákon č. 217/1994 Sb. 114
Zákon o úpravě vlastnických vztahů k půdě a jinému zemědělskému majetku [Act No. 229/1991 as amended on Ownership Rights of Land and Other Agricultural Property]. Zákon č. 229/1991 Sb. 109, 407
Zákon o zmírnění některých majetkových křivd způsobených holocaustem a o změně zákona č. 243/1992 Sb., kterým se upravují některé otázky související se zákonem č. 229/1991 Sb., o úpravě vlastnických vztahů k půdě a jinému zemědělskému majetku, ve znění zákona č. 93/1992 Sb., ve znění pozdějších předpisů [Act No. 212/2000 on Alleviating Holocaust Injustices]. Zákon č. 212/2000 Sb. 104, 109, 112, 407
Zákon o poskytnutí jednorázové peněžní částky příslušníkům československých zahraničních armád a spojeneckých armád v letech 1939 až 1945 [Act No. 39/2000 Concerning Lump-Sum Payments to Members of Czechoslovak Armies Formed Abroad and of Allied Armies in 1939–1945]. Zákon č. 39/2000 Sb. 114
Zákon o ocenění účastníků národního boje za vznik a osvobození Československa a některých pozůstalých po nich, o zvláštním příspěvku k důchodu některých osobám, o jednorázové peněžní částce některým účastníkům národního boje za osvobození v letech 1939 až 1945 a o změně některých zákon [Act No. 357/2005 Concerning the Recognition of Participants in the National Struggle for the Establishment and Liberation of Czechoslovakia and Certain Categories of Their Survivors, a Special Contribution to Supplement Pensions of Certain Persons, a Lump-Sum Payment to Certain Participants in the 1939–1945 National Struggle for Liberation, and Amending Certain Laws]. Zákon č. 357/2005 Sb. 114
Zákon o poskytnutí jednorázové peněžní částky účastníkům národního boje za osvobození, politickým vězňům a osobám z rasových nebo náboženských důvodů soustředěných do vojenských pracovních táborů a o změně zákona č. 39/2000 Sb., o poskytnutí jednorázové peněžní částky příslušníkům československých zahraničních armád a spojeneckých armád v letech1939 až 1945 [Act No. 261/2001 Concerning LumpSum Payments to Participants in the National Struggle for Liberation, Political Prisoners and Persons Concentrated in Military Labor Camps Because of Their Race or Religion, and Amending Act No. 39/2000]. Zákon č. 261/2001 Sb. 114
DENMARK
Bekendtgørelse af lov om erstatning til besættelsestidens ofre [Law of Compensation to the Victims of the Occupation], lovbekendtgørelse nr 279 [LBK No. 279] 13 March 2013, as amended. 119
ESTONIA
Eesti Vabariigi omandireformi aluste seadus [Republic of Estonia Principles of Ownership Reform Act]
Riigi Teataja [RT] 1991, 21, 257, in force 20 June 1991 123, 126
Maareformi seadus [Land Reform Act] Riigi Teataja [RT] 1991, 34, 426, in force 1 November 1991 126 Õigusvastaselt võõrandatud vara maksumuse määramise ja kompenseerimise seadus [Unlawfully Expropriated Property Valuation and Compensation Act] Riigi Teataja [RT] 1993, 30, 509, in force 15 June 1993 127
FRANCE
Loi 3086 du 22 juillet 1941 relative aux enterprises, biens et valeurs appartenant aux juifs [Law 3086 of July 22, 1941, on Businesses, Property, and Securities Belonging to Jews], Journal Officiel de l’Etat Français [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Aug. 26, 1941, p. 3594 141
Ordonnance du 19 août 1944 relative au rétablissement de la légalité républicaine sur le territoire continental [Order of August 19, 1944, on the Restoration of Republican Law in the Continental Territory], Journal Officiel de la République Française (Alger) [Official Gazette of France (Algeria)], Aug. 10, 1944, p. 688 141
Ordonnance du 16 octobre 1944 relative a la restitution par l’administration des domains de certains biens mis sous séquestre [Order of October 16, 1944, Relating to Restitution by the Administration of Certain Property Under Sequestration], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Oct. 16–17, 1944, p. 964 141
Loi 46-2389 du 28 octobre 1946 sur les dommages de guerre [Law 46-2389 of October 28, 1946, on War Damages], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Oct. 29, 1946, p. 9191 138, 142
Ordonnance du 14 novembre 1944 portant application de l’ordonnance du 12 novembre 1943 sur la nullité des actes de spoliation accomplis par l’ennemi et sous son contrôle [Order of November 14, 1944, on the Application of the Order of November 12, 1943 on the Nullity of Acts of Spoliation Carried Out by the Enemy Under Its Control], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Nov. 15, 1944, p. 1310 141–142
Ordonnance 45-770 du 21 avril 1945 portant deuxieme application de l’ordonnance du 12 novembre 1943 sur la nullité des actes de spoliation accomplis par l’ennemi ou sous son contrôle et édictant la restitution aux victimes de ces actes de ceux de leur biens qui ont fait l’objet d’actes de disposition [Order 45-770 of April 21, 1945, on the Second Application of the Order of November 12, 1943, on the Nullity of Acts of Spoliation Carried Out by the Enemy or Under Its Control and Decreeing the Restitution to the Victims of These Acts Those of Their Property Which Have Been the Object of Acts of Disposition], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Apr. 22, 1945, p. 2283 142
Loi 46-2389 du 28 octobre 1946 sur les dommages de guerre [Law 46-2389 of October 28, 1946, on War Damages], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Oct. 29, 1946, p. 9191 142
Loi 50-1568 du 26 décembre 1950 modifie les art. 14, 22, 23 de l’ordonnance du 21-04-1945: opposition des actionnaires spolies, nomination d’administrateur proviso ire, action en nullite de l’administration des domains [Law 50-1568 of December 26, 1950, modifying Articles 14, 22, and 23 of the April 21, 1945, Order: Opposition of Despoiled Shareholders, Appointment of Provisional Director, Action in Nullity of the Administration of Domains], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Dec. 27, 1950, p. 13193 147
Décret 99-778 du 10 septembre 1999 instituant une commission pour l’indemnisation des victimes de spoliations intervenues du fait des législations antisémites en vigueur pendant l’Occupation [Decree 99-778 of September 10, 1999, establishing a commission for the compensation of the victims of spoliations occurring as a result of anti-Semitic legislation in force during the Occupation], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], Sept. 11, 1999, p. 13633 138
Décret 2014-555 du 28 mai 2014 relatif à certaines commissions administratives à caractère consultatif relevant du Premier ministre [Decree 2014-555 of May 28, 2014, on certain advisory committees of the Prime Minister], Journal Officiel de la République Française [J.O.] [Official Gazette of France], May 31, 2014, p. 9059 144
GERMANY
Bundesgesetz zur Entschädigung für Opfer der nationalsozialistischen Verfolgung [Bundesentschädigungsgesetz] [BEG) [Federal Compensation Act], 18 September 1953, as amended 152
Bundesgesetz zur Regelung der rückerstattungsrechtlichen Geldverbindlichkeiten des Deutschen Reichs und gleichgestellter Rechtsträger [Bundesrückerstattungsgesetz] [BRüG] [Federal Restitution Law], 19 July 1957, as amended 152
Gesetz über die Entschädigung nach dem Gesetz zur Regelung offener Vermögensfragen und über staatliche Ausgleichsleistungen für Enteignungen auf besatzungsrechtlicher oder besatzungshoheitlicher Grundlage [Entschädigungs- und Ausgleichsleistungsgesetz] [EALG] [Compensation and Adjustment Payments Act], 27 September 1994, as amended 161
Gesetz zur Regelung offener Vermögensfragen [Vermögensgesetz] [VermG] [Act on the Settlement of Open Property], 23 September 1990, as amended 152
NS-Verfolgtenentschädigungsgesetz [NS-VEntschG] [Nazi Persecution Compensation Act], 27 September 1994, as amended 152
GREECE
Diatagma (1949) [Royal Decree of 1949 for the Establishment of the Organization for the Relief and Rehabilitation of the Israelites of Greece], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 29 March 1949, A:79 175
Nomos (1943:205) [Occupation Law 205/1943] [Service of Administration of Jewish Properties] [YDIP], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 1 June 1943, A:160 173
Nomos (1944: 1180) [Occupation Law 1180/1944 [Service of Administration of Jewish Properties] [YDIP], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 12 February 1944, A:26 173
Nomos (1944: 1977) [1977/1944 Annulment of Law 1180/1944], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 10 October 1944, A:241 173
Nomos (1944: 2) [2/1944 Annulment of Laws 1977/1944 and 1180/1944 and the Return-Restitution of Jewish Properties & Possessions (to their rightful owners)], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 27 October 1944, A:6 173
Nomos (1945:337) [337/1945 Concerning the Annulment of Law 205/1944 Regarding the Administration of Jewish Properties Impounded by the Occupation Authorities or Abandoned], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 23 May 1945, A:121 173
Nomos (1945: 808) [Compulsory Law 808/1945], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 31 December 1945, A:324 173
Nomos (1946:846) [Emergency Law 846/1946] [Abolition of the Rights of the Greek State to Inherit Jewish Property], Ephemeris Tes Kyverneseos [Government Gazette], 22 January 1946, A:17 175
1991. évi XXV. törvény a tulajdonviszonyok rendezése érdekében, az állam által az állampolgárok tulajdonában igazságtalanul okozott károk részleges kárpótlásáról (Act XXV of 1991 on the Partial Compensation of Damages Wrongfully Caused by the State to the Property of Citizens, for the Purpose of the Settlement of Ownership Relations) 179, 185
1991. évi XXXII. törvény a volt egyházi ingatlanok tulajdoni helyzetének rendezéséről (Act XXXII of 1991 on the settlement of the ownership status of former church owned real properties) 179
1992. évi XXIV. törvény a tulajdonviszonyok rendezése érdekében, az állam által az állampolgárok tulajdonában az 1939. május 1-jétől 1949. június 8-ig terjedő időben alkotott jogszabályok alkalmazásával igazságtalanul okozott károk részleges kárpótlásáról (Act XXIV of 1992 on the Partial Compensation of Damages Wrongfully Caused by the State to the Property of Citizens by Application of Legal Regulations Adopted between 1 May 1939 and 8 June 1949, for the Purpose of the Settlement of Ownership Relations) 179, 185
1997. évi X. törvény a Párizsi Békeszerződésről szóló 1947. évi XVIII. törvény 27. Cikke 2. pontjában foglaltak végrehajtásáról (Act X of 1997 on the implementation of provisions included in Article 27, Item No. 2, of Act XVIII of 1947, related to the Peace Treaty of Paris) 189 104/1991. (VIII. 3.) Korm. Rendelet a tulajdonviszonyok rendezése érdekében, az állam által igazságtalanul okozott károk részleges kárpótlásáról szóló 1991. évi XXV. törvény végrehajtásáról (Governmental Decree No. 104/1991 (VII. 3) on the Implementation of Act XXV of 1991 on the Partial Compensation of Damages Wrongfully Caused by the State to the Property of Citizens, for the Purpose of the Settlement of Ownership Relations) 185
ISRAEL
Law No. 5766-2006 [2006 Assets of Holocaust Victims Law—Restitution to Heirs and Dedication to Aid and Commemoration] 196
ITALY
Regio Decreto Legge 20 gennaio 1944, n.25, G.U. 9 February 1944, n.5 [Royal Law Decree (RDL) 25/1944] 204
Regio Decreto Legge 20 gennaio 1944, n.26 [Royal Law Decree (RDL) 26/1944], see Decreto Legislativo Luogotenenziale 5 ottobre 1944, n.252, G.U. 20 October 1944, n.71. 204, 205
Decreto Legislativo Luogotenenziale 5 ottobre 1944, n.249, G.U. 18 October 1944, n.70 [Lieutenant Legislative Decree (DLLGT) 249/1944] 204
Decreto Legislativo Luogotenenziale 12 aprile 1945, n.222, G.U. 22 May 1945, n.61 [RDL 222/1945] 205
Decreto Legislativo Presidenziale 27 giugno 1946, n.35, G.U. 2 August 1946, n.172 [Legislative Decree (DLG) 35/1946] 209
Decreto Legislativo Luogotenenziale 5 maggio 1946, n.393, G.U. 4 June 1946, n.128 [DLLGT 393/1946] 205
Decreto Legislativo del capo Provvisorio dello Stato, 11 maggio 1947, n.364, G.U. 27 May 1947, n.119 [DLCPS 364/1947] 201, 205, 210
Decreto Legislativo del capo Provvisorio dello Stato 31 luglio 1947, n.801 [DLCPS 801/1947] 205
Decreto Legislativo 17 aprile 1948, n.736, G.U. 22 June 1948, n.143 [Legislative Decree (DLG) 736/1948] 201, 209
Legge 18 luglio 1997, n.233, G.U. 24 July 1997, n.171 [Law 233/1997] 201, 210
Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 8 giugno 2001, n.327, G.U. 16 August 2001, n.189 supp. n.211 [Decree of the President of the Republic No. 327/2001] 209
LATVIA
Par īpašumu atdošanu reliģiskajām organizācijām [12 May 1992 Law of Restitution of Property to Religious Organizations] Ziņotājs 1992: 22/23 of 4 June 1992 214, 219
Grozījumi likumā “Par nekustamā īpašuma nodošanu sabiedriskajai organizācijai “Rīgas Ebreju kopiena” [Amendment Concerning the Transfer of Real Property in Riga to the Council of Jewish Communities in Latvia] Latvijas Vestnesis [Official Gazette of Latvia] No. 48 (48.5) (5620) of 9 March 2016. See also Latvijas Vestnesis [Official Gazette of Latvia] No. 48 (5620) of 9 March 2016, numbers 48.11 (Jūrmalā, Kļavu), 48.12 (Kandavā, Lielā), 48.13 (Rīgā, Abrenes), 48.14 (Rīgā, Ernesta Birznieka-Upīša), and 48.15 (Rīgā, Ludzas) 221
LITHUANIA
Pilietybės [1991 Law on Citizenship, 5 December 1991, Law No. I-2072, Valstybės žinios [Official Gazette of Lithuania] No. 36-977, 31 December 1991 229
