More compensation for victims of Soviet Union repression

Thousands of Georgian victims of Soviet Union repressions could receive additional financial compensation, officials announced this afternoon.

Georgian lawmakers approved a draft law that would see the Government increase compensation for victims of the Soviet Union regime increase from 200 GEL to 2,000 GEL. This decision was made at today’s Governmental meeting.

"This draft law is [protects] the rights of victims of repression during the Soviet era. It affects about 8,000 people, including the elderly who were tortured and became victims of the Soviet regime,” Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said.

Current law stated a person may be considered a victim of political repression if they were victims of a variety of violence including death, imprisonment, torture, exile, forced psychiatric treatment or other anytime from 1921 to 1990, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Most victims were now elderly.

The Government said the additional financial aid was a way officials could express their respect toward affected individuals.

Minister Tsulukiani said two people had applied to the Strasbourg Court in 2010 for compensation for the unlawful action against them, won their cases, which resulted in Georgia being instructed to change its law.

Meanwhile people can apply in Tbilisi City Court for the additional financial compensation. If a person lived in West Georgia or were unable to go to Tbilisi, they are able to apply for the compensation at the Kutaisi Court.

Since 2011, those affected by Soviet repression were able to apply to a court of law to claim financial compensation.