Europe reacts on election of new chair for Latvian parliament's human rights committee
The Latvian Parliamentary Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee confirmed today its new chairperson - Janis Smits, one of the most vocal anti-day campaigner. Statements by the European Parliamentarians and the Council of Europe.
Intergroup deplores Latvian Parliament's Choice for Chairperson of the Parliamentary Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee
The Latvian Parliament has confirmed the nomination of Janis Smits for the post of chairperson of the Parliamentary Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee, in blatant disregard of the candidate's prior history of hate speech and incitements to hatred and violence.
The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights deplored the confirmation as an insult to those who believe in a European Union founded upon the principles of human rights, diversity, and equality.
"Clearly, such an important position, one of the highest level posts in the Latvian legislature to handle issues of human rights and social affairs, should not be held by an individual who protects and promotes the values enshrined by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights," said Raul Romeva, Vice-President of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights.
The Intergroup urged the Latvian Parliament to reconsider its choice, asking the Latvian Parliament to follow the courageous acts of its European counterpart when it refused to accept the nomination of Mr. Buttiglione for similar reasons. Indeed, the current European Commission had to be reshuffled following the Parliament's opposition to the candidature of Mr. Buttiglione for the post of Commissioner for Justice, Freedom, and Security. "Mr. Buttiglione's views were not in line with EU values on equality, human rights, and the separation of church and state. He could clearl not be in charge of promoting fundamental rights," said Sophie In't Veld, Vice-President of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights and Chair of the European Parliament's Working Group on the Separation between Religion and Politics.
In Parliamentary debates, Mr. Janis Smits frequently quotes the Old Testament in defence of his old-fashioned values arguing in favour of a world-view that advocates sexual minorities should be put to death. "Mr. Janis Smits has been a vocal opponent to universal human rights, advocating a world in which gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender peoples have no rights to protection, no rights to exist," said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, "It is our common duty, as politicians, to ensure that we do not make grave errors of judgement by selecting individuals who are ill suited to take charge of such crucial dossiers."
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis in reaction to the election of the new head of the Latvian parliamentary human rights committee
Strasbourg, 21.11.2006 - “I am very concerned about reports that Latvian parliament has elected a leading anti-gay activist as the head of its Human Rights Committee. The parliamentarians who made this decision should realise that what is at stake is the international reputation of Latvia. The best way to clear the air would be for the Latvian parliament to ratify Protocol 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees that no-one shall be discriminated against on any ground by any public authority. This general prohibition of discrimination extends to gays and lesbians as much as religious, ethnic or any other minority groups”.
BBC reports: Anti-gay Latvian MP given key job
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6167562.stm By Laura Sheeter
BBC News, Riga
The Latvian parliament has elected a controversial anti-gay rights activist as head of its human rights committee.
Janis Smits, who is a member of Latvia's First Party, is a leading figure speaking out against the activities of gay rights groups.
He has campaigned against the introduction of legislation to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
European gay rights activists have condemned the appointment.
'Blatant disregard'
Mr Smits has described homosexuality as a sin and homosexuals as degenerate.
In June he proposed that Latvia should cut references to sexual orientation from a bill banning discrimination, describing it as "the legalisation of sexual perversions".
Though MPs backed him, the whole bill was eventually made law after the Latvian president refused to sign the amended version.
Mr Smits' appointment as the head of parliament's human rights committee has been described as "appalling" by local human rights organisations and provoked international dismay.
Members of the European Parliament's gay and lesbian rights group said that Latvian MPs had shown a blatant disregard of the candidate's prior history of incitements to hatred and violence.
And the London-based human-rights group Amnesty International has said it will raise his appointment with the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, who is due to meet the Latvian prime minister on Friday.
Mr Smits' party colleagues say he has pledged to uphold the rights of all sectors of society.
They say Mr Smits will base his judgments not only on Latvian law but also on holy writ, which they say he holds to be a handbook of brotherly love.
