Dokument #1021219
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
For information on the Iserges since 1990,
please consult Response to Information Request LVA18031.F of 3
August 1994.
In a telephone interview on 22 December
1994, a specialist in the non-Russian peoples of the former Soviet
Union at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, provided the following information. There have been rumours
that the Iserges were harassing and intimidating people, but the
source added that he has no way of knowing the truthfulness of
these rumours. The intent of the legal system is to protect all
citizens from harm and to provide redress, and there is a "very
good set of laws" on protection. However, the ability to enforce
protection and prosecute offenders may be inadequate. The court and
police systems are only rudimentarily developed and may be
insufficient for law enforcement.
In a telephone interview on 22 December
1994, a representative of the Toronto-based Latvian National
Association of Canada, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan umbrella
group, provided the following information. The representative
believed that the group's name is "Aizargs," and he characterized
it as an extreme right wing organization that numbered in the
hundreds. Although its members wear uniforms, they are not armed.
The representative had not heard of any instances of the group
victimizing people. He stated that the group was a nuisance factor,
but that it was potentially dangerous and should be monitored.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, Washington. 22 December 1994. Telephone interview with
specialist.
Latvian National Federation of Canada,
Toronto. 22 December 1994. Telephone interview with
representative.