On Thursday, 20 June, the Saeima passed on the third reading amendments introducing a ban on the use of uniforms and their elements of the armed forces, law enforcement and repressive bodies of the USSR, its republics and Nazi Germany. 

"People must understand that wearing Nazi or Soviet uniforms and symbols at public events in our country is unacceptable," Artuss Kaimiņš, chairman of the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee responsible for the draft law, had emphasized earlier. 

The changes impose a ban on the use of uniforms or garments (including in stylised form) of the armed forces, law enforcement and repressive bodies of the USSR, its republics, and Nazi Germany at meetings, processions and pickets. The ban also applies to elements of such garments (garments, accessories, recognition signs, headgear insignia, shoulder-straps, equipment), which clearly identify these armed forces or repressive bodies. The ban also targets the use of the flags, emblems and national anthems of the former Soviet Union, its republics and Nazi Germany, including the Nazi swastika and SS sign and the Soviet hammer and sickle and five-pointed star symbols. 

Violations of the rules on organisation and proceedings of meetings, processions and pickets will be subject to a warning or a fine up to 70 euro for individuals and up to 580 euro for legal entities. 

Until now, the law forbade participants of meetings, processions and pickets from using flags, emblems, anthems and symbols (including in stylised form) of the USSR, the Latvian SSR and Nazi Germany. 

The amendments to the Law on Meetings, Processions and Pickets will come into effect on 1 January 2020. 

Saeima Press Service