Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee • proposing new ideas for legislation and initiating legislative proposals; • drafting of the Saeima decisions on appointment or dismissal of key public officials. Parliamentary oversight of line ministries and public bodies enables the Committee to request from the responsible ministers, local governments and their agencies (bodies subordinated to or supervised by ministers and municipal administra- tions) any relevant information and data. To this end, public officials may also be requested to participate in Committee meetings. Ministerial staff, officials of different government and local bodies/ Artuss Kaimiņš, Chairperson of the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee agencies and NGOs are often invited to the Committee to ensure a more effective The Human Rights and Public Affairs Legislative functions of the Committee tackling of public issues within the scope Committee of the Saeima (hereinaf- include: of the Committee’s area of competence. ter Committee) is one of the standing • preparation of assigned legislative committees established on the basis of The Committee is also responsible for proposals for the parliamentary review and assessment of proposals/ Article 149 of the Rules of Procedure of readings; the Saeima. applications submitted by private and • commenting legislative proposals legal entities on issues which fall with- Structure under joint assignment procedures; in the scope of its competence. The structure of the Committee is CHAIRPERSONS OF THE COMMITTEE decided by the Saeima. All politi- cal groups elected to the Saeima have Convocation Name Tenure proportional representation in the 5th Saeima Inese Birzniece 21.07.1993 – 06.11.1995 Committee. Currently the Committee 6th Saeima Antons Seiksts 16.11.1995 – 02.11.1998 consists of nine MPs. It is chaired by th Artuss Kaimiņš, with Boriss Cilevičs 7 Saeima Antons Seiksts 12.11.1998 – 04.11.2002 Ina Druviete 15.11.2002 – 06.02.2004 serving as Deputy Chair and Dagmāra 8th Saeima Beitnere-Le Galla as Secretary. Ingrīda Circene 21.12.2004 – 06.11.2006 Jānis Šmits 20.11.2006 – 15.01.2009 Functions 9th Saeima Oskars Kastēns 21.01.2009 – 26.03.2009 Based on a decision of the Saeima, the Ingrīda Circene 26.03.2009 – 02.11.2010 Committee considers draft laws prepared 10th Saeima Ingrīda Circene 08.11.2010 – 17.10.2011 by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Com- 11th Saeima Ināra Mūrniece 21.10.2011 – 04.11.2014 mittee itself or at least five MPs, as well as Inese Laizāne 07.11.2014 – 13.10.2016 draft laws that have been initiated by the 12th Saeima Ritvars Jansons 18.10.2016 – 12.01.2017 President of Latvia or a tenth of the elec- torate according to the procedure and in Inese Laizāne 17.01.2017 – 05.11.2018 cases prescribed in the Constitution. 13th Saeima Artuss Kaimiņš Since 20.11.2018 Fact Sheet 37 v37.05ENG; 04.03.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected] Areas and issues under the responsibility of the Committee The Committee covers all issues linked with human rights, including children’s rights, rights of the persons with dis- abilities, minorities and asylum seek- ers. The Committee deals with an even broader range of other public affairs. The Committee handles issues related to children, youth, religious organisa- tions, public holidays and commemo- rative days, veterans of World War II and members of the resistance. Another highlight of its work is media: freedom Meeting of the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of speech and expression, strengthening of broadcasting and publishing prac- in 1995 and restructured into the Om- vian Children’s Fund, Latvian Human tices, policies for improving the local budsman’s Office in 2007. Until 1998, Rights Centre, Latvian Association media landscape. when a post of Representative of the of SOS Children’s Villages, Women’s Government of Latvia before Interna- NGOs Cooperation Network of Latvia, Format tional Human Rights Organisations Crisis and Counselling Centre Skalbes Committee meetings are open to the was created, the Minister for Human and Latvian Association of National public, although the Committee may also Rights was the direct link between the Cultural Societies. The Committee decide to hold closed meetings. However, government and the Committee from also cooperates with professional and that happens only when a party invited 1993 to 1995. sectoral associations, namely Latvian to a meeting requests so. The Committee The Committee works in close con- Broadcasters Association, Latvian also has field meetings and hosts various junction with the Ministry of Foreign Advertising Association, Latvian As- conferences and events. According to Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the sociation of Electronic Communica- the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of tions, association “For legal content!”, Committee is authorised to form sub- Welfare and the Ministry of Health. Latgalian Culture Association as well committees that perform preparatory as other organisations to address is- One of the main elements of a sound work or specific tasks. In the 13th Saeima sues related to media policy. judicial system is public and NGO the Committee has established the Me- involvement in the legislative pro- dia Policy Subcommittee and the Lat- cess. Therefore, the Committee works gale Region Subcommittee. closely with Non-governmental Or- Cooper ation ganization of People with Disabili- CONTACT INFORMATION ties and Their Friends Apeirons, Safe Address: Jēkaba iela 16, partners House shelter, women’s shelter Marta, Riga, LV-1811, Latvia The main human rights partner is the shelter for people with mental disabili- Phone: +371 6708 7271 State Human Rights Agency, founded ty Zelda, Save the Children Latvia, Lat- E-mail: [email protected] Fact Sheet 37 v37.05ENG; 04.03.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected].