Non-restitution of property

Warfare, occupation and revolution disrupt the pattern of property ownership. When a legitimate regime is finally restored, perhaps many years after such disruption, there are many complex issues to be resolved concerning the ownership of both private property as well as state assets. Where such assets had been transferred to other countries for safe-keeping prior to such events, there is a natural reluctance to return them if non-restitution can be credibly argued.

Under the Treaty of Paris (1947), Hungary was required to make restitution of Jewish property. The Communist government that took power ignored the agreement and nationalized many of the properties, delaying any further restitution attempts to 1989. Compensation coupons to a value of US$ 26 million were issued in 1996.