Minority issues in Latvia, No. 22

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Subject: Minority issues in Latvia, No. 22

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Minority issues in Latvia, No.22


Minority issues in Latvia, No. 22
Prepared by the Latvian Human Rights Committee (F.I.D.H.)
November 8, 2000
 

Legislation news

Foreign languages are allowed to use in visa applications
 
The Ministry of Interior initiated amendments to the Law "On the Entry
and Residence of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the
Republic of Latvia" in respect of the usage of languages in
applications for visas and residence permits. On September 1, 2000,
new State Language Law came into force. According to this law, all
official documents submitted to the state institutions must be written
in the Latvian language, except for some emergency cases. No special
reservations were envisaged for the documents to be filled in by a
foreigner applying for visa or residence permit. Naturally, as a rule,
these people do not have any knowledge of Latvian. The Ministry of
Interior suggested that not only Latvian but also English, Russian and
German could be used in these documents. However, Janis Lagzdinsh (MP
from the ruling People's Party) suggested to shorten this list, and
keep only Latvian and English there. (It should be mentioned that the
Minister of Interior Mareks Seglinsh is also member of the People's
Party). However, in the final version adopted by the Saeima on
November 2, the list of permitted languages was extended: a person may
apply for visa in Latvian, English, Russian, German, French and in the
language of the country where the application is submitted, but for
temporary residence permit - in Latvian, English, Russian, German or
French. In the meantime, application for a permanent residence permit
must be filled in Latvian. 
 

Parliament rejects bill which would allow extradition of Konrads
Kalejs 

On October 26, the Saeima decided to suspend ratification bill of the
Extradition Treaty between Latvia and Australia. Consideration of the
bill was postponed to indefinite time by a considerable majority of
votes. The ratification is necessary for extradition of Konrads
Kalejs, Australian citizen of Latvian ethnic origin, who is accused in
committing war crimes on the territory of Latvia during the Second
World War. Konrads Kalejs was a volunteer and officer of the SD
Sonderkommando, his division participated actively in executions of
the Jews and punitive actions against the peaceful population. Because
of the concealment of his Nazi past, Konrads Kalejs was deprived of
the citizenship and deported from the USA, then forced out of Canada.
At present he lives in Australia. Some quotes of the speeches during
the discussion in the parliament follow. Juris Dobelis ("For
Fatherland and Freedom"): "Some Simon Vizental Centre, which is not
being recognized by any country and which is picking up the traces of
finances... Who needs it in Latvia?" Dzintars Rasnachs ("For
Fatherland and Freedom", former Minister of Justice): "Australia can
perfectly cope with its citizens itself." Rishards Labanovskis
(Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party): "We should not adopt laws
under pressure of some non-governmental organisation...
Representatives of the Jewish nation also committed crimes under
different banners. They did it during the times of Communist
terror...". Aleksandrs Kirshteins (The People's Party): "Since Kalejs
served as a head of external guards of the Salaspils camp, in this
capacity he had to shoot if someone tried to escape... He only obeyed
orders". 


"Juridically stateless" persons in Latvia 
 
On October 23 the Russian-language newspaper "Chas" ("Hour") published
an article about stateless persons in Latvia. The Law "On the Status
of Stateless Person" was adopted in February 1999, regulations of the
Cabinet of Ministers came into force in October 1999, the first
stateless person's ID was issued in December 1999. A person can
receive this document if he/she is not a citizen of Latvia or another
state, is not subject to the "Law on the Status of the Former Citizens
of the USSR Who Have neither Latvian nor Other State's Citizenship"
(i.e. did not have permanent residence in Latvia on July 1, 1992), and
entered Latvia and stays in Latvia legally. Stateless persons are
mostly persons belonging to national minorities. Some of them were
even born in Latvia. For example, ancestors of the very first person
to receive this status, lived on the territory of Latvia since XVII
(!) century, he also was born in Latvia and lived here till 1974.
After that he became an officer in the Soviet Army, then in the
Russian Army and came back to Latvia after demobilization in 1995. In
2004 he will be able to start naturalization and become the citizen of
Latvia. There are 55 " "officially" stateless persons in Latvia now.
Persons whose status is determined by the "Law on the Status of the
Former Citizens of the USSR Who Have neither Latvian nor Other State's
Citizenship" are not considered stateless, although they have no
citizneship of any of the existing state. 
(http://www.chas-daily.com/win/2000/10/23/g_10.html)
 

A memorial in honour of the Latvian SS-Waffen legionnaires
 
On November 5, a memorial in honour of the Latvian SS-Waffen legion's
soldiers was opened in Lestene. The Minister of Defence Girts
Kristovskis, commanders of the national armed forces, members of the
ruling party "For Fatherland and Freedom" were among 1,000 people, who
gathered there. MP from the party "For Fatherland and Freedom" Juris
Dobelis declared, "The battles, the legionnaires fought someday in,
are lasting... The wheel of naturalization is turning. Thanks to it,
people unloyal towards the state become the citizens of Latvia!" He
also mentioned that there is not and cannot be a concept like
"Latvia�s people", but there is only ethnic Latvian people. Many
Latvian politicians now try to prove that Latvian legionnaires should
be considered as fighters for the independence of Latvia against the
Soviet occupation, and not as nazi collaborators. 

 
Alexei Dimitrov
Latvian Human Rights Committee (F.I.D.H.)

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