The new draft of the Personal Names Act includes restrictions that will affect persons who wish to change their names, thus denying criminals the opportunity to hide their identity, however, even then it will be possible to change their surname when getting married or getting divorced, writes ERR News.
The new bill, which will limit the possibilities of convicted criminals to change their names, has been prepared for several months. True, certain changes are also expected for those citizens who have not come into conflict with the law.
Kristiina Luht, Head of Victim Support Policy at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said that searching for information about new acquaintances on the Internet is a common phenomenon, and if a criminal has changed his name, no one can find out about the crimes committed by the person. The criminal continues to live as if nothing had happened, and, figuratively speaking, starts life from a blank page. “We stand for victims’ rights, and we feel that this is not a good solution for preventing such crimes in the future,” Luht said.
Enel Pungas, head of the Population Department at the Ministry of the Interior, said that verifying information is very important to protect victims and potential victims. He said that names remain in the criminal record for as long as the sentence is in effect, and changing a name takes away the possibility of finding the record.
Luht added that
restrictions on changing a name are particularly important in cases involving organized crime and human trafficking,
where those involved often try to find new victims through manipulation. She explained that human trafficking is usually associated with organized crime, which means that individuals who are likely to commit repeated offenses are involved. Often, victims are first attracted through romantic interest, dating, and friendly conversation: “A personal relationship is created, and then exploitation follows. If a person can change their name, we take away victims’ ability to conduct background checks and prevent such crimes.”
However, the bill provides that all individuals, including criminals, will still be able to change their last name upon marriage or divorce.
In addition to special provisions for convicted criminals, the bill outlines changes that will affect any citizen who wants to change their name. The process will be more strictly regulated, and a good reason will be required for a name change. Pungas said that in cases where a person chooses a completely new last name that is not found in the family or is not related to a spouse, the need to do so will have to be justified.
The law is expected to come into effect on the 1st of December, 2027.
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