Latvian Foreign Minister urges respect for minorities
With regard to the developing situation in connection with the march planned by sexual minorities "Rigas Praids 2006", Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks has sent a letter to senior Latvian officials and to the non-governmental organisations involved.
In his letter the minister noted that the events related to the march have damaged the image of Latvia abroad. This is evidenced by negative comments made in the foreign press and in the correspondence received from foreign nationals and organisations.
"Ensuring of minority rights is one of the basic principles of a democratic society, and it is in our interests to prevent similar situations in the future, " Mr Pabriks emphasized in his letter.
Enclosed in the letter is a summary of publications by the foreign press concerning this event and letters written in electronic format and by hand from foreign nationals to Latvian representations abroad.
The letter was sent to the President of Latvia, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, the Prime Minister, the Minister of the Interior, the Chairman of the Riga City Council, the association Nopraid, and to Mozaika, the association of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transpersons and their friends.
