War Reparations From Germany: A Historical and Legal Perspective

Abstract

On 23 August 1953, under a pressure exerted by USSR, the government of the Polish People's Republic issued a declaration on war reparations. Since then, Germany has adopted a stance that the problem of reparations had been definitively closed and Poland is no longer entitled to any claims for reparations. This article discusses the issue of war reparations from Federal Republic of Germany from a historical legal perspective, focusing in particular on the scope of the declaration made by the Polish government as well as its significance and effects. The author concludes that a duly represented state of Poland has never waived reparation claims from Germany.