Stasi Records Agency
Overview
The Stasi Records Agency (German: Stasi-Unterlagen-Behörde) was an organization established in the reunified Germany to manage and oversee the archives and documents left behind by the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR, or East Germany). The agency was tasked with preserving and protecting these records, as well as making them accessible to the public and using them to investigate past injustices committed by the Stasi.
History
The Stasi Records Agency was established on December 29, 1991, following the unification of East and West Germany. The agency was created by the Stasi Records Act (Stasi-Unterlagen-Gesetz), which was passed by the German Bundestag in response to public demand for transparency and accountability regarding the activities of the Stasi.
Structure and Function
The Stasi Records Agency was a federal agency under the direct jurisdiction of the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Records (BStU), an independent body appointed by the German Bundestag. The agency was divided into several departments, each responsible for different aspects of the agency's work, such as archiving, research, and public relations.
The Stasi Archives
The Stasi Records Agency was responsible for the preservation and administration of the Stasi archives, which contain approximately 111 kilometers of files, as well as numerous other materials such as photographs, audio recordings, and films. The archives provide a comprehensive record of the activities of the Stasi and its surveillance of the East German population.
Access to the Archives
One of the primary functions of the Stasi Records Agency was to facilitate public access to the Stasi archives. This was done in accordance with the Stasi Records Act, which stipulates that every individual has the right to access the files that pertain to them. The agency also provided access to the archives for researchers, journalists, and other interested parties.
Legacy and Impact
The work of the Stasi Records Agency has had a significant impact on the process of coming to terms with the past in post-reunification Germany. The agency's efforts to make the Stasi archives accessible to the public have contributed to a greater understanding of the extent and nature of state surveillance in the GDR.