| Type of parliamentary body |
Specialized |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Saeima
|
| Date of creation |
July 1993 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
The Committee's main task is to prepare new legislation and to propose amendments to existing laws relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in Latvia. It also reviews specific human rights issues as they relate to the government's implementation of existing legislation and to the human rights situation in general in Latvia. |
| Membership |
Currently, the Committee is composed of nine parliamentarians from all the political parties elected to the Saeima (Parliament). The Saeima plenary itself determines the number of members in each standing committee and the composition of each standing committee. The newly elected Saeima first elects its Speaker and other presiding officers. The Saeima Secretary convenes the first meeting of each standing committee after its composition has been approved by the Saeima plenary. The committee members elect their Chair, Deputy Chair and Secretary by majority vote. The Saeima's full term of office is four years. |
| Working methods |
The Committee automatically reviews all incoming legislation which has been referred to it by the Saeima plenary and continues work on proposed legislation until its adoption (in 2 or 3 readings) or its rejection. The Committee also has the right to initiate legislation in the Saeima. Otherwise, its Chair and members propose items for meeting agendas. Meetings are public unless otherwise voted by a majority of the Committee. The Latvian Constitution grants parliamentary committees the right to request from the government any necessary documents and information and to request government ministers and representatives to attend committee meetings and answer questions. The Committee also has the right to hold public hearings on matters of interest. Decisions are taken by a majority of the members present and voting (at least half of the members must be present for a quorum). Committee staff members follow up the various decisions of the Committee. It is not customary for the Committee to issue public reports.
The Committee has set up subcommittees on (a) children's rights; (b) integration; (c) gender equality and (d) radio and TV.
|
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee occasionally holds joint meetings with other standing committees on legislation or other matters of common interest. |
| Relations with external bodies |
The Committee holds regular meetings with the National Human Rights Office (which fulfils tasks similar to the Ombudsman) as well as with such government ministries as the Foreign Affairs (Latvia's reports on international human rights conventions), Education, Welfare and Culture ministries. It also invites relevant NGOs to attend the meetings. |
| Subjects dealt with |
Issues concerning social integration, the protection of children's rights; gender equality, public affairs (radio, television, the press), places of imprisonment; asylum seekers and refugees; language issues; matters concerning religious organisations; problems related to persons who were repressed during the Soviet regime; and the development of national and ethnic minorities. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
11 Jekaba Street
RIGA LV 1811
|
| Phone |
+371 708 73 64 |
| Fax |
+371 708 73 48 |
| E-mail |
... |
| Website |
http://www.saeima.lv
|
|
|
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Janis Smits |
| Notes |
Chairman |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+ 371 67 08 72 10, + 371 29 44 44 53 |
| Fax |
+ 371 67 08 72 48 |
| E-mail |
Janis.Smits@saeima.lv |
| Website |
http://www.saeima.lv
|
| Name |
Mr. Leons Lidums |
| Notes |
Deputy Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+371 67 08 74 15 |
| Fax |
+371 67 08 72 48 |
| E-mail |
Leons.Lidums@saiema.lv |
| Website |
...
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Ms. Dace Silina |
| Notes |
Senior Staff Adviser |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+371 67 08 72 46 |
| Fax |
+371 67 08 72 48 |
| E-mail |
dsilina@saeima.lv |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
| Name |
Mr. Augusts Brigmanis |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+371 67 08 72 05 |
| Fax |
+371 67 08 72 48 |
| E-mail |
Augusts.Brigmanis@saiema.lv |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
