During this short week Latvia’s Saeima managed to make several important decisions – particularly in regards to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The parliament voted in favour of revoking Latvian citizenship is a person is found to support war crimes. The Saeima also prohibited any and all events in the vicinity of Soviet monuments. Most importantly, Latvia’s parliament officially accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine.
Many women gathers outside the Russian embassy in Riga with their hands tied and red-stained underwear, thereby protesting against the terrible reports of rape committed by Russian troops in Ukraine.
Members of Latvia’s Saeima also decided to reject the proposal submitted by Minister of Education Anita Muižniece to prohibit distance learning for 1st to 6th graders.
The government, meanwhile, declared an energy crisis due to supplies of petroleum. This state will remain in force until the end of the year.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Genocide in Ukraine; Distance learning; Latvia’s budget; Post; Energy crisis; War symbol ban in Estonia; Award for murderers.
GENOCIDE IN UKRAINE
Latvian parliament officially accuses Russia of genocide of Ukrainian people
Photo: PixabayOn Thursday, 21 April, Latvia’s Saeima unanimously passed the statement on Russian Federation’s aggression and war crimes in Ukraine, while also voicing solidarity with Ukraine and its people. According to the Saeima, Russia is performing genocide of the Ukrainian people.
In its official statement, the Saeima voices support for the initiative of democratic countries to combine efforts in collecting and investigating evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Members of the parliament welcome the International Criminal Court’s initiated investigation of war crimes committed in Ukraine, and hope that all those who are responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes will be brought to justice.
Latvia’s Saeima categorically condemns Russia’s military aggression and invasion of Ukraine, which was executed with assistance and involvement from the regime in Belarus, BNN was told by Saeima’s press-service.
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DISTANCE LEARNING
Latvian Saeima rejects ministry’s proposal to prohibit distance learning for 1st to 6th graders
Photo: PixabayThe parliament has rejected the proposal from Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece to prohibit distance learning for 1st to 6th graders.
21 deputies from the Conservative Party and National Alliance voted in favour of this proposal and 40 deputies from Harmony, Union of Greens and Farmers and National Alliance voted against.
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LATVIA’S BUDGET
Latvia’s state budget deficit of 2021 at 7.3% of GDP
Photo: PixabayIn 2021 general government budget deficit accounted for EUR 2.4 billion or 7.3 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and general government consolidated gross debt amounted to EUR 14.7 billion or 44.8 % of the GDP.
Under the impact of Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 general government expenditure, compared to 2020, rose by 16.0 % and reached EUR 14.8 billion, of which EUR 2.1 billion were expenditure on Covid-19 support measures for the national economy. Revenues increased by 8.2 % and reached EUR 12.4 billion.
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POST
Olaine Prison chief selected to lead Latvia’s Prison Administration
Dmitrijs Kaļins. Photo: Ieva Čīka/LETAThe chief of Olaine Prison Dmitrijs Kaļins has been selected as a prominent candidate for the post of head of Latvia’s Prison Administration (IeVP), according to LETA.
Ministry of Justice has prepared a proposal for Kaļins’ transfer to the post of chief of IeVP.
Kaļins was selected as part of a selection procedure.
As reported by the State Chancellery’s Communication Department consultant Santa Jirgensone, the winner of the selection procedure has received confirmation from Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns, who previously had an interview with the winner of the fourth stage of the selection process, and who has decided to submit to the Cabinet of Ministers the proposal regarding Kaļins’ approval for the aforementioned post.
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ENERGY CRISIS
Latvia declares energy crisis in supplies of petroleum products
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAAn energy crisis in supplies of petroleum products is declared in Latvia until 31 December 2022, according to the order of the Cabinet of Ministers published in the Latvian Herald.
This order details the State Energy Crisis Centre is picked as the institution responsible for coordinating activities during the crisis with supplies of petroleum products.
The order also mentions that it is permitted to release reserves of petroleum products on the market. Holders of petroleum reserves in Latvia are obligated to prepare petroleum products for distribution. At the same time, it is decided that licensed petroleum product distributors and critical service providers are authorised to turn to the State Construction Control Bureau of Latvia (BVKB) with a request for permission to procure petroleum products from reserves if a shortage of petroleum products is detected on the market.
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WAR SYMBOL BAN IN ESTONIA
Estonia joins Baltic neighbours in outlawing symbols of military aggression
A Russian man walks on the street near gift-shop with T-shirts for sale with the letter Z in Moscow, Russia, 18 April 2022. The letters Z and V used by Russian forces as an identifying symbol on their vehicles in Ukraine. Photo: EPA/SCANPIXThe parliament of Estonia adopted on Thursday, April 21, amendments to the Penal Code of the Baltic country to ban the public display of symbols of military aggression, ERR reports. Latvia did this in March.
Not all Estonian legislators supported the amendments to the Estonian Criminal Code with two former ministers voting against or abstaining. The amendments were adopted with 69 votes for and three against. The latter came from Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) MPs, including former Finance Minister Martin Helme, but Centre Party MP Mailis Reps, who was the Minister of Education and Research also decided not to vote, while the remaining centrists supported the bill.
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AWARD FOR MURDERERS
Putin awards Russian brigade blamed for Bucha massacre in Ukraine
Bodies of mother and son killed by shelling exhumed in Bucha District, Kyiv Region, Ukraine. Photo: ZUMAPRESS.com/SCANPIXIn Russia, a military unit blamed by Ukraine of killing civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha during its occupation has received an honorary title from the Russian President, American broadcaster Radio Free Europe reports.
A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 18 gave the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces the title of Guards for their defense of the «motherland and state interests» and praised the «mass heroism and valor, tenacity, and courage» of its members.
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BNN summary of the week: Genocide in Ukraine. Permitting distance learning. Energy crisis in Latvia
