BStU (Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Archives)

The BStU, or Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Archives, is a German government agency responsible for managing the records of the East German secret police, known as the Stasi. Its role is to preserve, organize, and provide access to these archives for research and public inquiry. The BStU promotes transparency about past surveillance and repression, helping individuals learn about their history and personal files. It balances the interests of privacy and historical truth, ensuring that the archives serve as a resource for understanding East Germany's totalitarian regime and fostering reconciliation.