REMEMBRANCE IN TIME - Index of

Péter BLAZOVICH: Possibilities to Research Communism in Several Ex-Communist… 361
Scientific or other researches
The researching possibilities in the files of the BStU are reasonably different.
As a principle everybody has the possibility to research in the files, but the researches,
not supported by research workshops, universities or academic institutions, have to
support their application for a research with a synopsis or a researching concept.
The documents, not containing personal data, or made nameless, or giving well-known
information, can be accessed and copied without any limitations.
The data of the third faces and concerned people can be researched after having their
written permission 5 . The personal data of formerly died persons can be researched after
30 years. In the case of researches supported by an academy or a university it is possible
to access to the personal data without covering the names, if the researcher can prove, that
the requested data are essential for his research. However, generally the researchers
cannot have the information about the personal data of the public faces.
The data of the contemporary historical figures, politicians and public faces are
regulated separately. One can research the information accessible for the public (public
speeches), and the information, related to the public activity of the above mentioned
people. It has to be highlighted, that the information, obtained by breaking the obligation
of confidentiality 6 , prohibited interrogation or interception are also under strict limitation
of researches. The BStU always informs the concerned person about the fact that
somebody wanted to research his data, and also gives him the purpose of the research.
The colleagues of the BStU can access to the files containing personal data in an easier
way, but their activity is also regulated related to the publications.
Publication
For the office handling the Stasi documents there are no special measures requiring to
the publication of the originals, registers or lists, so the institution doesn’t publish such
documents on its website – except for some photos for illustration. There are no archiveguides
on the site, either. It is possible to use the files only at the centre of the BStU or at
a branch office of it, after the colleagues of the institutions had prepared them. According
to the information from the colleagues of the BStU the publication of personal data or
original documents on the internet is not compatible with the Privacy Regulations 7 . As a
consequence even the researchers, having permission can not be given extra rights to
research from afar.
The Czech Republic
There work 130 colleagues in the Czech Office of State Security, and there are 20000
linear meters of documents stored there. The Czech regulations are quite similar to the
Slovakian ones. And from the point view of the possibilities to research and publications
it is the most permissive.
5 The European…, 2009: 32.
6 The BStU could get back more than 280000 copies of files, also containing the list of names of
agents of HV A, from the USA in 2003.
http://www.bstu.bund.de/DE/Wissen/Aktenfunde/Rosenholz/rosenholz_node.html (the latest
download on the 10th of May, 2012)
7 See: http://www.bstu.bund.de/DE/BundesbeauftragteUndBehoerde/Aktuelles/Englisch-Text-
Introduction.html?nn=1703834; Cseh, 2010: 3