Growing protests against homophobic nominee to lead parliamentary human rights committee
15/11/2006
By
Mozaika
On 8 November 2006, Latvian alliance of LGBT people and their friends Mozaīka distributed an open letter to the Latvian parliamentarians signed by various Latvian and international human rights organisations. The letter contained categorical protest against a nomination of Jānis Šmits from the First Party of Latvia to the post of parliamentary human rights committee chairperson and described this nomination as travesty of human rights protection in the country.
On 14 November 2006, the leading daily “Diena” reported that Aigars Kalvītis, Latvian Prime Minister, does not want to see J.Šmits as a chairperson of the parliamentary human rights committee. Kalvītis said that person at this post should not raise so many questions and concerns as J.Šmits. Also Boriss Cilēvičs, Latvian MP who was a member of the parliamentary human rights committee for many years, stated that J.Šmits is not appropriate candidate to lead this committee as such person needs to be neutral and a defender of fundamental rights.
Similarly on 14 November 2006, liberal New Era Party, one of the most gay-friendly Latvian parties, came out with a statement condemning J.Šmits nomination for the post of chairperson of the parliamentary human rights committee.
Despite the loud and categorical protests from various politicians and NGOs, J.Šmits himself and his First Party of Latvia do not want even to reconsider his nomination.
On 14 November 2006, the leading daily “Diena” reported that Aigars Kalvītis, Latvian Prime Minister, does not want to see J.Šmits as a chairperson of the parliamentary human rights committee. Kalvītis said that person at this post should not raise so many questions and concerns as J.Šmits. Also Boriss Cilēvičs, Latvian MP who was a member of the parliamentary human rights committee for many years, stated that J.Šmits is not appropriate candidate to lead this committee as such person needs to be neutral and a defender of fundamental rights.
Similarly on 14 November 2006, liberal New Era Party, one of the most gay-friendly Latvian parties, came out with a statement condemning J.Šmits nomination for the post of chairperson of the parliamentary human rights committee.
Despite the loud and categorical protests from various politicians and NGOs, J.Šmits himself and his First Party of Latvia do not want even to reconsider his nomination.
