On Thursday, 8 April, Latvia’s Saeima passed in the final reading the Law on the Day of Commemoration of Victims Who Died in Ukraine, providing that 9 May becomes a day of mourning.
The legislative draft was pushed by coalition deputies Mārtiņš Šteins, Juris Pūce, Ainars Latkovskis, Krišjānis Feldmans and Raivis Dzintars.
In addition, the parliament also decided to pass the proposal from Mārtiņš Šteins to prohibit sales of fireworks on 9th and 10th of May 2022.
The goal of this law is turning Latvian residents’ attention towards Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and demonstrating solidarity with Ukrainian people in the fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. With this law 9 May in the entirety of Latvia becomes a day of commemoration of victims in Ukraine, honouring the civilians and armed forces personnel who died as a result of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.
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During this day of commemoration it will be required to hoist the flag of Ukraine next to Latvia’s flag at all public buildings, buildings owned by private legal persons and associations, as well as apartment homes, Riga Castle, the State President’s Residence, Saeima and Cabinet of Ministers buildings.
Law does not allow the organisation of any public festivities and celebrations and for municipal administrations to not issue permits for public events.
The law also provides for municipal administrations to annul permits issued for this year’s 9 May events if they were issued before the law has come to force.
This law will lose its power on 11 May 2022.
Authors of the legislative draft remind that on 9 May countries of the former Soviet Union generally celebrate the victory of the Soviet Red Army over Nazi Germany. In Latvia there are many Latvian residents who keep this tradition alive by celebrating the so-called Victory Day even though
this day in Eastern Europe is associated by many with the occupation and annexation of Baltic States by USSR.
Latvia officially declares 9 May Day of Commemoration of Victims Who Died in Ukraine
