Letter: Rights of citizens under Latvian law
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: While the report 'Latvian Parliament restricts citizenship' and the leading article 'A rash expression of Latvian loathing' (both, 23 June) provide some sense of the critical demographic situation in Latvia that is responsible for the 'backlash' of the citizenship law, several inaccuracies in these articles provide a skewed perception of the effects of the law.
Adrian Bridge reports that 'up to 500,000 mainly ethnic Russian residents of Latvia are set to find themselves almost indefinitely excluded from citizenship - and with it the right to vote and own property'. This figure is in fact closer to 410,000, of whom an estimated 160,000 are retired Soviet military and KGB personnel and their families. This latter group, by international standards (Geneva Convention on Occupied Territory), must not be 'forced' on Latvia as potential citizens.
Latvian law does not exclude the right to own property for non- citizens - at present it excludes the right to own land. It is also internationally accepted that non-
citzens do not possess the right to vote in government elections. Therefore this cannot be construed as a 'violation of human rights'. By law, the permanent residents of Latvia are guaranteed all other human rights.
An important aspect of the rate of naturalisation of non-citizens concerns the present demographic situation in Latvia (52 per cent ethnic Latvians) and the potential effects on the impending parliamentary elections in October 1995 and October 1998 of a significant number of persons who may not assimilate into the Latvian culture. While the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the CSCE were seriously considered, and many were incorporated into the citizenship law, the critical demographic situation in Latvia precludes implementation of a rapid naturalisation process.
The 'wisdom' of the citizenship law in its present form is a matter for discussion. However, to state that 'Latvians have many reasons for loathing the Russians' is misleading. Many ethnic Russians presently are citizens of Latvia and are actively engaged in the state-building process. The 'loathing' is directed at remnants of the occupying forces and results from 50 years of suppression. Would any European country allow such a major shift in its citizenry in such a short period?
Yours sincerely,
JANIS LUSIS
Ambassador
Embassy of Latvia
London, W2
23 June
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments