On Thursday, 21 April, the Saeima adopted in the second and final reading urgent amendments to the Citizenship Law, stipulating that Latvian citizenship can be revoked for persons supporting war crimes or other internationally punishable crimes against another democratic country.

Latvian citizenship can be revoked for persons who have provided significant financial, material, propaganda, technological, or other kind of support for countries or individuals who have committed actions—including genocide, crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, and war crimes—that disrupt or jeopardise the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, or constitutional system of democratic countries. In addition, citizenship can be revoked for individuals who have personally taken part in any such action. The state security institutions will provide information about the respective individual’s participation in any of these activities. Contesting or appealing this decision will not suspend its effect.

According to the explanatory note of the Draft Law, the amendments were necessary to ensure that Latvian citizenship is not retained for individuals who have committed or supported actions incompatible with the values of Latvia as a democratic country governed by the rule of law, actions that violate internationally binding treaties, and actions that are prohibited and condemnable and pose a threat to the territorial integrity, national security, and constitutional system of Latvia and other democratic countries.

The law will enter into effect on the day following its promulgation.

Saeima Press Service