Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 15:26:34 GMT From: International Gay Lesbian Human Rights Commission ***Emergency Response Network ***Volume IV, Number 4 ***IGLHRC Action Alert ***November 1995 Latvian State Security Service Beat Gays: ***************************************** On June 23, 1995, the Latvian Asssociation for Sexual Equality (LASV) organized a celebration of the midsummer solstice for lesbians and gays at a campground near the town of Sigulda. Other groups of people were also celebrating at the same campground. Among them were two employees of the Latvian State Security Service. These two men began a physical attack against two participants in the LASV group, basing their attack upon the sexual orientation of the two participants. The two victims were beaten mercilessly and repeatedly, and the attack was punctuated by antigay statements. The LASV has repeatedly informed Latvian legislators of the problems faced by gays and lesbians without any satisfactory answer. The Parliamentary Human Rights Commission argued that the matter does not fall within its jurisdiction and that if changes are to be made, those should be applied to the new criminal code. If the Human Rights Commission is not competent in the issue concerning discrimination against a segment of society, there is reason to doubt the commission's overall understanding of human rights. New laws in Latvia must be proposed by high officials and they are not willing to give up their jobs to defend homosexuals. Only two changes to existing law have been made: the ban on homosexuality was repealed, and same-sex marriages were banned. There are also housing registration procedures which block same-sex couples from lawfully living in one apartment. Such couples also face discrimination in the areas of inheritance, social insurance, and immigration. Reports from LASV indicate that. Police representatives have conducted unauthorized raids against gay bars and cafes to check documents and search for weapons, during the course of which establishments are often closed down and patrons are humiliated. Letters are needed expressing concern and encouraging officials to launch initiatives that would protect gays and lesbians human rights. To immediately ban any type of discrimination based on sexual orientation including same-sex marriage. And to support the proposals made by the Latvian Association for Sexual Equality. Also to propose the Parliament to supplement Paragraph 69 of the Criminal Code with the words "sexual orientation." Paragraph 69 of the Criminal Code provides sanctions against "voluntary actions with the purpose of encouraging hatred or intolerance among national or racial groups, of debasing national honor and respect, or of directly or indirectly limiting the rights of citizens, or of directly or indirectly creating advantages for citizens which are based on race or national identity." Letters should politely express the following: 1. Concern over LASV reports of the illegal police raids to gay bars and cafes. And particularly strongly protest against the beating of the two gay men perpetrated by members of the Latvian State Security Service which occurred on June 23, 1995. 2. Encourage the government to write laws to protect sexual minorities and to extend civil rights, by adopting the Latvian Association for Sexual Equality's proposals for amendments to the existing laws. 3. To put into practice the European Union standards on civil issues, that calls for equal rights for homosexuals and lesbians in the European Community. An agreement which Latvia signed recently. Send letters to: President of the Republic of Latvia, Pils laukums 3, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia Parliament of the Republic of Latvia Jekaba iela 11, Riga, LV-1811, Latvia Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, Parliamentary Juridical Comission, Jekaba iela 16, Riga, LV-1811, Latvia Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia, Brivibas iela 36, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia