Serbia vows to return seized property of Holocaust victims to JewsMarch 30, 2016 - 11:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Serbia has passed a law offering some belated redress to its now tiny Jewish community, AFP reports. One of the first of its kind in eastern Europe, the "heirless property restitution law" will see thousands of previously Jewish-owned buildings handed to the country's Association of Jewish Communities. The association plans to rent out most of the properties, and from 2017 Serbia will also pay an annual 950,000 euros ($1.1 million) for 25 years in financial support to the community. The funds will be spent on education, fighting prejudice and preserving the memory of Holocaust victims, along with supporting survivors, said its president, Ruben Fuks, AFP says. Presenting the new law in parliament, Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic said Serbia had a "moral obligation" towards Jews who "dedicated their lives and work to our Serbia." He said the move would also "contribute to a greater understanding of human rights, which is crucial for fighting and preventing racial and religious discrimination." Poland, which had Europe's largest pre-war Jewish community, in 2011 suspended work on compensation legislation for property seized by Nazis and post-war Polish communists, intended to apply to both Jewish and non-Jewish victims of expropriation. Warsaw argued the law would swell the nation's debt to the point where it would breach a European Union (EU) debt ceiling. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |