The German government intends to face its often-violent colonial-era history while rejecting demands for compensation from former colonies, according to media reports.
Following an inquiry by the Green Party, the ruling coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to address “injustices committed under German colonial rule” in affected countries such as Namibia and Tanzania.
However, the government added: “The concept of reparations in international law arises from the violation of an international obligation,” which, it notes, did not exist at the time the injustices were committed.
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“The concept of reparations is therefore not applicable in the context of Germany’s colonial past,” the government said.
Green Party politician Claudia Roth submitted the inquiry together with her party colleagues Awet Tesfaiesus and Jamila Schäfer.
Remembering the injustices committed by Germany is a prerequisite for a lasting partnership with countries affected by colonialism, Roth said.
“This requires empathy, not formal legal denial,” Roth told dpa.
Tesfaiesus expressed a similar view in the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
“We cannot hide behind formal legal arguments – especially not in a republic whose constitution places inviolable human dignity at the heart of its statehood,” she said.
Germany pledged €1 billion to Namibia
The government also addressed the offer to pay €1.1 billion ($1.28 billion) to Namibia. In 2021, after years of negotiations, it agreed to support the country with this sum over the next 30 years.
Of this, €1.05 billion is to be allocated to a reconstruction and development programme and €50 million for reconciliation.
However, no money has yet been paid out as talks on implementing the programmes have not been concluded.
Source: dpa
