Mar 13 2012

  • marts 13, 2012

    • Court cancelled decision of the Riga City Council to ban Uldis Freimanis from holding a picket on 16 March
    • Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska: Riga City Council should take into account court decisions when considering applications for public events
    Yesterday, the Administrative District Court cancelled decision of the Riga City Council to ban Uldis Freimanis from holding a public picket on 16 March. As reported, the City Council banned all the events planned to be held on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. The Court decided that it is not clear what specific threats to public security are posed by the picket planned by Mr.Freimanis, whether these theats could be averted and ruled that the decision to ban the picket is unjustified. The Court will also consider applications of other organisations affected by the Riga City Council’s ban.

    Yesterday, the Administrative District Court cancelled decision of the Riga City Council to ban Uldis Freimanis from holding a public picket on 16 March. As reported, the City Council banned all the events planned to be held on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. The Court decided that it is not clear what specific threats to public security are posed by the picket planned by Mr.Freimanis, whether these theats could be averted and ruled that the decision to ban the picket is unjustified. The Court will also consider applications of other organisations affected by the Riga City Councils ban. Latvijas Avize

    Diena interviews the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska about freedom of assembly issues in the context of the events on 16 March banned by the Riga City Council. She refers to well established domestic case law, including Supreme Court decisions, in relation to similar banned events in previous years, and highlights courts arguments that should be taken into account by the city council. At the same time, A.Kamenska underlines that police should watch out for instances of incitement to ethnic or racial hatred, and that it has at its disposal all legal means to intervene in such cases.