In Trieste exile organizations the esuli are inquiring about the compensation possibilities in accordance to a Slovenian law redressing the injustices to victims of communism from the year 1945 onwards.

Mirjam Muženič reports for Radio Slovenija that the gates for all those seeking to apply for compensation have already been opened wide by the Italian Union of Istrians, known for their controversial rallies at memorial sites on Slovenian soil. In accordance with the Slovenian Redressing of Injustices Act, around two thousand Italians, mostly from Argentina, have so far received compensation. Figures for some individuals have reached up to 16 thousand euros and more.
"I am very grateful to Slovenia for the act and its amendments. It recognizes the payout of a fair compensation to victims of persecution," said the president of the Union of Istrians, Masimiliano Lacota.
Slovenian compensation waiting in a bank
According to estimates from Trieste, there are at least eight thousand people eligible for compensation. Slovenia is expected to payout a good 70 million euros. At the same time damage compensation already paid out by Slovenia to the esuli for their abandoned property in Koper, Isola and Prian, in line with an international treaty signed in Rome in 1983, still lies untouched in bank in Luxembourg. The figure in question stands at almost 58 million US Dollars.
"It’s a political and not a legal issue. From the legal point of view Italy should pick up the money, payout the exiles and close the issue. However, politics clearly see things different," was the comment of Trieste-based lawyer, Peter Močnik.
There are still a lot of questions, one of which is whether the esuli can also receive double compensations. And are foreigners also eligible for compensation under Slovenian law? If the answer is yes, can Germans who used to live in the Kočevje region also state their claims? Mirjam Muženič reports that now on move are the Slovenian foreign and justice ministries.