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Panel recommends fund to compensate former German orphans
Dec 13, 2010, 16:36 GMT
Berlin - Post-war orphans who suffered abuse in German orphanages should receive government compensation, a panel appointed by parliament said Monday.
The abuse, which included beatings, bullying and starvation, lasted until the 1970s. It only came to light after a long campaign by ex-orphans for justice.
Many complained the orphanages had obstructed children from getting a decent education and forced teenagers to work as unpaid launderers or peat-cutters. Some of the orphans were sexually abused.
Children whose parents were killed in World War II were put in the homes. Later they took in children from unmarried mothers.
After the two-year inquiry, the panel chaired by Antje Vollmer, a former deputy speaker of parliament, called for a fund of 120 million euros (158 million dollars) to compensate those who could prove they suffered harm.
Victim groups voiced disappointment after demanding a bigger fund, and said they would demonstrate for more.
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