problem in latvia
abidj...@hotmail.com
Riga, 6 January 2006
In a decisive move, the Latvian parliament today passed a new amendment
to the country's constitution limiting access to citizenship for gays
and lesbians. This legislation follows closely on the heels of an
amendment signed late last year banning same-sex marriage, and has
already been decried as 'blatant discrimination' by Latvian and
European human rights groups.
"The Saeima has today taken yet another step towards the protection of
our Latvian culture and society," a spokesperson for the Saeima, or
Parliament, has said in a written statement. "It is well known that
homosexuality did not exist in Latvian society prior to the German and
then Soviet occupations of the country and is today a result of these
occupations and influence from other cultures. It is normal that Latvia
should take the necessary steps to protect our Latvian, Christian
culture, which has become a minority in our own country."
The statement goes on to explain that citizenship may not be immediatly
repealed for all homosexuals residing in Latvia, and that those who
wish to become naturalized citizens will be allowed to do so by
following the same procedure as other non-Latvian minority groups.
Upon its separation from the Soviet Union in 1991, the new Latvian
state granted citizenship only to persons of Latvian descent, or to
others who could trace their ancestors' presence in Latvia back to
pre-Soviet times. Foreigners, including those born in Latvia, are
required to prove their knowledge of the Latvian language and take an
oath of allegiance in order to become citizens. This process has now
been extended to homosexuals.
Discrimination
The Latvian gay rights organization ILGA has already stated that they
plan to fight this amendment in Brussels.
"The [Latvian] government has shown unequivocably that it lacks an
understanding of basic human rights, and we will not stop until this
blatant discrimination is brought to an end."
Latvia's Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks, was unavailable for comment,
but an official of the Foreign Ministry, speaking on the condition of
anonymity explained that the government will defend its decision as a
soverign state.
No change
The amendment is yet to be signed by Latvian President Vaira
Vike-Freiberga - who is rumoured to be a candidate for next
Secretary-General of the United Nations - but a statement from the
presidency affirmed that the text will be signed into law.
"As far as the actual effects of this law go, nothing will be changed,
so there is no compelling reason not to sign it. Latvia was already a
difficult and hostile place for gays and lesbians to live, and this
small change to citizenship law will not affect the hardships that
these people suffer upon coming to Latvia."
The president will follow the lead of the parliament, which adopted the
amendment by an overwhelming majority. Representatives from the ruling
coalition of the extreme centre-right Jaunais Laiks party and the
right-wing "Latvia's First" party, as well as the opposition MPs from
the extreme right and centrist Christian Democrats, agreed on the text
following only a short debate and conjecture about which MPs might be
closeted homosexuals.
New Europe
While the change comes as no surprise in the light of recent debates in
the Latvian government, some worry that such policies could become more
commonplace in the countries of eastern and central Europe who have
joined, or will soon join the EU. Latvia's policies regarding its
sizeable Russian minority were in place well before accession talks
began. Some analysts fear that the successful extension of this
discrmination may encourage other nations to follow the example, in
spite of European Union efforts to promote broader human rights in
candidate countries.
A bill due to be passed by the Lithuanian parliament aims to instore
similar curbs to gay rights in this neighbouring Baltic state. The only
question seems to be whether this text will be extended to affect jews
and communists in addition, or whether this will be handled in separate
legislation.