Luxembourg

During World War II, Luxembourg was occupied by Nazi Germany. Laws passed by the occupying administration confiscated property from Jews and other “enemies of the Reich.” Even before the war ended, the Luxembourg government-in-exile in London issued a number of decrees establishing the framework for restitution in Luxembourg. A 1950 law also provided compensation for material, political, and physical damages. However, the definition of “eligible recipients” under the law excluded Jewish survivors when they did not have Luxembourg citizenship—which was the majority of survivors. A 2001 government-sponsored Study Commission was established to examine the circumstances under which property belonging to Jews in Luxembourg was confiscated during World War II and the conditions under which restitution took place. Luxembourg endorsed the Terezin Declaration in 2009 and the Guidelines and Best Practices in 2010.