Citizenship, Migr ation and Social Cohesion Committee Objectives 1. To facilitate the formation of inter- ethnic cohesion in the society that would form a strong basis for the development and global competi- tiveness of as a nation state. 2. To maintain ties with Latvians abroad and facilitate their return. 3. To oversee the implementation of the citizenship and migration policy, as well as the integration of immi- grants in Latvian society. Functions 1. To conduct parliamentary scrutiny Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee. over social cohesion, citizenship and migration issues, as well as to define The Citizenship, Migration and Social Within the scope of its competence, the policy guidelines in these areas. Cohesion Committee has been working Committee views social cohesion and 2. To propose legislative initiatives with the current name since Novem- social integration as relations among based on analysis of the actual social ber 2014. Prior to that, from its estab- members of different ethnic groups or integration process, conclusions of lishment in 1994 to April 2012, it was nationalities. studies, and dialogue between ex- called the Citizenship Law Implementa- The Committee’s activity focuses on perts and the public at large. tion Committee, and from April 2012 creating a social integration gover- to October 2014 - the Social Cohesion 3. To promote dialogue among stake- nance model and ensuring measures Committee. holders in order to balance their in- that promote social cohesion on a com- terests with developing a cohesive All the political parties elected to the mon basis of all people living in Latvia society and nation state 13th are represented in the notwithstanding their ethnicity and 4. To raise awareness among MPs and Committee. Its Chair is Andrejs Ju- self-identification. The common basis society about social cohesion. dins (New ), the Deputy Chair is the , the feeling of is Ritvars Jansons (National Alliance belonging to the State of Latvia and its While supervising the implementa- “All for Latvia!”–“For Fatherland and democratic values, respect for Latvia’s tion of a unified and coordinated state Freedom/LNNK”), and the Secretary unique cultural space, development of policy in the fields of social cohesion, is Armands Krauze (Union of Greens a shared social memory, strengthening the Committee monitors developments and Farmers). civic participation. a cohesive society and works on legislative initiatives per- The main tasks of the Citizenship, is an essential and integral element of taining to the promotion of ethnic co- Migration and Social Cohesion Com- any state and society for it to function hesion, scrutiny over improving the mittee include conducting parliamen- as a united system as it allows avoid- implementation and coordination of in- tary scrutiny of the implementation of ing conflicts. Social cohesion is the tegration policy. The Committee gath- a unified and coordinated state policy emotional capacity of being united ers and analyses the information and in the fields of social integration (so- and proud of belonging to Latvia, the results of studies carried out by relevant cial cohesion) and the diaspora, su- capacity of prioritising universal and institutions and prepares and submits pervising the implementation of the patriotic values over disputes among proposals aimed at streamlining social Citizenship Law, and migration issues. separate groups. cohesion policy.

Fact Sheet 24 v24.04 ENG; 13.03.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected] In order to ensure social cohesion, an of citizenship comply with statutory pro- Science, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, important area of the Committee’s work visions. The Committee is responsible Ministry of the Interior, etc.), the Office is strengthening ties with Latvian expa- for granting citizenship for special meri- of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, triates, improving policies concerning torious service rendered to Latvia. In the the Society Integration Foundation and, the diaspora, and supervising the im- field of migration, the Committee deals if necessary, with other public institu- plementation of measures to foster the with the integration of immigrants in tions. In order to facilitate work in the diaspora’s connection with Latvian cul- Latvia, as well as the integration capacity areas under the Committee’s purview, it ture and identity, economy and science, of the state, namely, its ability to provide also holds meetings with international accessibility of the Latvian language, high-quality integration regardless of the organisations, NGOs, and ethnic mi- culture, and traditions to members of number of immigrants. The Commit- nority organisations to discuss topical the diaspora, promotion of remigration. tee closely follows the implementation of issues. The Committee also examines The Committee cooperates closely with the asylum policy, especially with regard and replies to submissions and com- representatives of the World Federation to the socio-economic integration into plaints filed by private entities on mat- of Free Latvians, the Union of European Latvian society of refugees and persons ters within the scope of its competence. Latvians and the relevant line ministries. with an alternative status. The Committee has its own website; it The Committee conducts parliamentary The work of the Committee involves co- contains the agenda of the Committee, scrutiny over the implementation of the operation with public institutions such information on matters considered and Citizenship Law and monitors whether as certain line ministries (the Ministry decisions adopted during Committee the procedures for acquisition and loss of Culture, Ministry of Education and meetings, as well as working documents.

INTERESTING FACTS The Citizenship Law and the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima require the Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee to consider submissions and independent motions on granting citizenship for special meritorious service rendered to Latvia. Altogether, for special meritorious service rendered to Latvia citizenship has been granted to 175 individuals. The largest number of people were granted Latvian citizenship in 1998, prior to amendments to the Citizenship Law (in 1995 citizenship was granted to 25 individuals, in 1996 – to 30, in 1997 – to 56, in 1998 – to 62, and in 2000 – to 1 individual). Since 1999, the Saeima has granted Latvian citizenship for special Pilsonības, migrācijas un sabiedrības saliedētības komisijas sēde. meritorious service to 23 individuals on the basis of special laws; these citizens include such distinguished individuals as ballet dancer Māris Liepa, cyclist Pēteris Ugrjumovs, stage director Mihails Gruzdovs, and composer Mariss Jansons, etc. On 27 April 2017, the Saeima granted Latvian CHAIRPERSONS OF THE COMMITTEE citizenship for special meritorious service to the world-renowned ballet dancer Convocation Name Tenure Mikhail Baryshnikov. The Committee has elaborated regulations to determine the 5th Saeima Jānis Kokins 23.02.1995 – 06.11.1995 procedure of considering submissions Andrejs Požarnovs 16.11.1995 – 25.09.1997 and independent motions on granting 6th Saeima Ilga Kreituse 30.09.1997 – 02.11.1998 citizenship for special meritorious service Jānis Lagzdiņš 12.11.1998 – 18.05.2000 rendered to Latvia, which are available on 7th Saeima Anta Rugāte 18.05.2000 – 04.11.2002 the website of the Committee. 8th Saeima Anta Rugāte 26.11.2002 – 06.11.2006 9th Saeima Pēteris Tabūns 20.11.2006 – 02.11.2010 CONTACT INFORMATION th 10 Saeima Visvaldis Lācis 08.11.2010 – 17.10.2011 Address: Torņa iela 3/5, LV–1811 th 11 Saeima Ilmārs Latkovskis 21.10.2011 – 04.11.2014 Phone: +371 6708 7216 12th Saeima Ilmārs Latkovskis 10.11.2014 – 01.08.2017 E-mail: [email protected] Ritvars Jansons 01.08.2017 – 06.11.2018 Website: http://saliedetiba.saeima.lv 13th Saeima Andrejs Judins Since 20.11.2018 Twitter: @saliedetiba

Fact Sheet 24 v24.04 ENG; 13.03.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected]