THE SECRETARY-GENERAL JJJJLJSJLIU 27 June 1997 -71997 Excellency^ EOSG/CENTRA I should like to thank you for your letter of 4 June, which was hand delivered to me during the meeting I held on 16 June with His Excellency Mr. Valdis Birkavs, in which you extended a formal invitation to me to visit the Republic of Latvia at a mutually convenient date. I would be honoured to visit the Republic of Latvia, as I attach the greatest importance to the further strengthening of the links that bind your country and the United Nations. I shall make every effort to pay a visit to the Republic of Latvia at the earliest opportunity during my term in office. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. „ Kofi A. Annan His Excellency Mr. Guntis Ulmanis President of State of the Republic of Latvia Riga UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES CABLE ADDRESS AOHESSE T EL EC RAPH IQUE: UNAT1ONS NEWYOHK EXECUTIVE OFFICE OFr THJE; SE:P;RET..AF N E R;A l_ a «• CABINET DU ' i, REFERENCE. Excellency, The Secretary-General would be grateful if you could kindly'forward the enclosed letter to His Excellency, Mr. Guntis Ulmanis, President of State of Republic of Latvia. A copy of the letter is attached for your information. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. EQSG/CEffTRAL S< Iqbal Riza Chef de Cabinet His Excellency Mr. Aivars Baumanis Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations • New York •iirwi"« *^r^r?^-—~J i ; * •UIJ! JUNI6I997 Riga, 4th June 1997 His Excellency Mr Kofi Annan The Secretary-General of the United Nations Excellency, It is. a great honour and pleasure for me to extend to you an invitation to pay a visit to the Republic of Latvia at a time convenient for you. Let me express the belief that your visit would be of exceptional significance for the people of Latvia. I am convinced that our personal contacts would contribute to further strengthening the ties between the United Nations and the Republic of Latvia, which are so vital at a time of intensive reform and development. Excellency, I should be grateful if you were to accept this invitation. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Yours respectfully, Gurvfis Ulmanis President Republic of Latvia j1 ISSUES IN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA 1994 -1997 Riga, June 1997 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia NEW IN THIS ISSUE Legislation in the sphere of human rights The Parliament appoints the Director of the Latvian National Human p. 6 Rights Office The Parliament ratifies the European Convention on Human Rights p. 19-20 The Parliament adopts the draft law on refugees in the second reading p. 17 Process of ratification of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of p. 17 Refugees The Parliament adopts amendments to the Law on Citizenship p. 15-16 Updates Process of naturalisation p. 20 Booklet on naturalisation process published p. 15 Issuing of non-citizen passports p. 16 Latvian language training programme p. 9 Education in minority languages p. 8-9 NGO's in Latvia p. 7-8 Mass media in Latvia p. 9 This document is updated regularly in order to reflect the latest developments in areas related to human rights in Latvia. The latest update is available on the World Wide Web at: http:/www.mfa.gov^v/mfa/pub/hum/hum.htm INTRODUCTION 1. Existing national framework 2. International framework II RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS AREAS RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS III CONTINUING DEVELOPMENTS 1. Amendments to the Satversme (Constitution) with provisions for the protection of human rights 2. The establishment of the Satversme (Constitutional) Court 3. (i) Ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ii) Ratification of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities 4. Further implementation of citizenship legislation 5. Development of gender equality policy 6. Adoption of new legislation in the field of education I INTRODUCTION Latvia restored its independence on 21 August 1991 after more than fifty years of Soviet occupation. In 1994, with the assistance and co-operation of the United Nations and other international organisations, the complete withdrawal of Russian military forces from Latvia was achieved. Since 12 June 1995, Latvia has been an associate member of the European Union. The Satversme (Constitution) of 1922 was reinstated in its entirety in 1993 and provides that all citizens are equal before the law and the courts. The 1991 Constitutional Law on the Rights and Obligations of a Citizen and a Person is the cornerstone of Latvia's national human rights norms, and provides for basic rights and freedoms including equality under the law regardless of sex, religion, language or social status. Latvia's demographic situation at present is a legacy of the mssification policy pursued during the Soviet era. Throughout the Soviet years migration was the primary source of population growth and the basic reason for a manifold increase in the number of non-Latvians in Latvia. Today Latvians are a minority in most of the largest cities, including the capital, and make up about 57% of the total population, down from 77% in 1935. The non-Latvian population is currently split among numerous ethnic groups, including Russians (30%), Belarussians (4%), Ukrainians (3%) and Poles (2%). Out of some 2.45 million registered residents of Latvia more than 72% are citizens of Latvia. Almost 400 000 of the citizens are of non-Latvian origin. Latvia has committed itself to re-establishing the rule of law, democratic institutions, and respect for human rights. The major challenge faced by Latvia has been the need to redefine the concept of human rights in Latvian society at large. The years of Soviet rule and the experience of recent Russian foreign policy activities carried out in international fora have created a misinterpretation of the very concept of human rights. Human rights are seen as largely applying only to the minority population or non-citizens and not to each and eveiy individual. This attitude has prevailed in the population at large and more specifically among those with a direct impact on the enjoyment of human rights - the civil service and the judiciary. Therefore, from the veiy first day of renewed independence, the Parliament and Government have declared the protection and promotion of human rights as a major priority. 1. The existing national framework Latvia is a parliamentary democracy. The highest elected body is the one chamber 100-seat Saeima (Parliament), elected in direct proportional elections by citizens 18 years of age and older. The first democratic elections since 1931 were held in June 1993, and the second elections in October 1995. Within the Parliament there is a Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs which is responsible for reviewing draft legislation pertaining to human rights. It works in close co-operation with the Standing Committees on Legal Affairs and European Affairs. The President is the head of state, elected by the Parliament for a period of three years. Among other rights, the President has the right of legislative initiative and the right to pardon. The President promulgates laws passed by the Parliament or, by means of explanatory letter to the Chairperson of the Parliament, can ask for the review of a law. The President nominates the Prime Minister, who is then approved by Parliament. The Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers are responsible for Government operations. Recognising its responsibility for the protection of human rights of all inhabitants in Latvia, the Government established the post of State Minister for Human Rights within the Ministry of Justice in 1994. In accordance with the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the UN World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna (June 1993) and in close co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme, Latvia created the National Programme for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Latvia (UN document E/CN.4/1995/146 of 15 February 1995). The focal point of the Programme was the establishment of an independent institution for the protection and promotion of human rights in Latvia. In his address to the 51st Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, the then Prime Minister Mr. Maris Gailis confirmed that action to develop national capacity in the field of human rights in Latvia was urgently needed. Enabling legislation of the Latvian National Human Rights Office was drafted and adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on 18 July 1995, and subsequently approved by the Parliament on 27 July 1995. Simultaneously, the post of State Minister for Human Rights was dissolved. To facilitate the establishment and effective functioning of the Office, the UNDP in Latvia prepared a US $1.8 million project "Capacity Development of the Latvian National Human Rights Office", which was supported and cost-shared by the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and several bilateral donors (Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands). The project was signed on 19 January 1996 by Dr.Valdis Birkavs, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Ms.Kaija Gertnere, the Acting Director of the Latvian National Human Rights Office and Mr. John Hendra, UNDP Resident Representative. The Law on the Latvian National Human Rights Office, which was adopted on 5 December 1996, guarantees the independent status of the Office and its right to investigate individual cases, as well as the activities of state institutions. Provisions are also made to guarantee confidential treatment of information received from individuals. The independence of the Office is ensured both by its legal status and by the mechanism for approval and dismissal of the Director, whereby he or she is appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers and approved by the Parliament for a term of four years.