As of 1 January 2022, the victims of the illegal sterilizations that were performed between 1 July 1966 and 31 March 2012 in the Czech Republic have been able to apply for compensation in the amount of CZK 300,000 [EUR 12,000]. Documenting the fact that an illegal sterilization has been committed is proving to be a problem for some applicants.
Hospitals may have already shredded many documents about such sterilizations in the interim. Moreover, according to news server Romea.cz, the Health Ministry is apparently rejecting testimonies from family members of the victims as evidence, even though such testimonies are mentioned in its own instructions as one possible kind of proof.
Victims have to demonstrate that their sterilization was performed in contravention of the law, i.e., that they either never agreed to be sterilized or that the circumstances under which their consent was given violated legal regulations.
The best evidence to submit is the medical record of the sterilization. As many applicants will not have a copy of their records, they can ask the ministry to find the documentation for them.
Youtube:
