Information on the right to residence and right of exit and return of ethnic Russians since the republic declared independence [LVA9888]

A representative of Radio Free Europe stated that ethnic Russians will be allowed to continue to live in Latvia, although laws in Latvia are currently in the process of change (12 Dec. 1991). The source stated further that, according to Radio Free Europe's Daily Report, the Supreme Council adopted a new law regarding the registration of residences on 11 December 1991 (Ibid.). Further details on this law were not provided.

A professor with the Centre for Canadian-Soviet Studies also indicated that it is likely that ethnic Russians will be able to continue to live in Latvia, even if they do not become citizens (10 Dec. 1991). However, the professor stated that it may be difficult for an ethnic Russian who was formerly resident in Latvia, but left before independence, to return to live in the republic as the individual may have to apply as an immigrant if he/she is not currently registered as a permanent resident (Ibid.). Further, there are restrictions on immigration into the republic, including a quota which varies from district to district (Ibid.).

A professor of Soviet Law from Rutgers University indicated that some people are being refused residence registration on grounds that they have been demobilized from the army or navy [i.e. they were stationed in Latvia and therefore are not permanent residents] (11 Dec. 1991). The source indicated that latitude for administrative discretion by police, magistrates and city councils in matters of residence registration is vast (Ibid.). The professor also stated that, in his opinion, it appears that nothing will happen to ethnic minorities currently resident in the republic who decide to stay, and they will not be pressured to leave (Ibid.). The source noted that an agreement was signed between Latvia and the Republic of Russia guaranteeing the rights of their respective ethnic minorities on each other's territories (Ibid.). This is corroborated by Radio Free Europe and the Current Digest of the Soviet Press (RFE 12 April 1991, 24; Current Digest 13 Nov. 1991). In reference to a statement reportedly made by the Vice-Chairman of the Latvia Supreme Council to the effect that agreements signed before Latvia proclaimed independence may be meaningless (Current Digest 13 Nov. 1991), the professor stated that many people in the Baltic republics are staking out public positions [for political reasons] and that public positions should not be interpreted as indicative of what future policy might be (11 Dec. 1991). An October report from the BBC on a Latvian Radio broadcast indicated that Supreme Council Chairman Anatolijs Gorbunovs stated that the "Latvian state undertakes to guarantee residents of other nationalities all human rights..." (BBC Summary 19 October 1991).

Reports from Reuters and Radio Free Europe indicate that Latvia's immigration department has been considering the possibility of financing a relocation plan for non-Latvians who are willing to resettle in the Soviet Union (Reuters 16 Sept. 1991; RFE 27 Sept. 1991, 37).

A recent article from the Soviet Press Digest states that, pending the decision on the citizenship law [currently being debated in the Supreme Council], a ban on the granting of residence permits to anyone arriving from other states is in effect (2 Nov. 1991). However, the article also states that this does not apply to those who are liable for Latvian citizenship (Ibid.).

The BBC Summary of World Broadcasts also reported on a government resolution that the registration of "'any persons who have come from the territory of other states' is ceasing until an immigration law is adopted" (5 Nov. 1991). This article notes that people who were resident in Latvia before June 1940 and their descendants, and people discharged from the military who were permanently registered before their service, may be excluded from this resolution (Ibid.). Please see the attached articles for details.

A September report from the BBC states that the Latvian Supreme Council formed a commission to examine the issue of Latvian passports and identification documents (28 Sept. 1991). Production of new personal documents was scheduled to begin by 1 November 1991 even though there was no new legislation on Latvian citizenship (Ibid.). The professor with the Centre for Canadian-Soviet Studies stated that, although initially Latvia was stamping over Soviet passports, it is now issuing its own passports (10 Dec. 1991). The source stated further that the Soviet passport is recognized only for citizens of the Soviet Union, not for citizens of Latvia (Ibid.)

There is no further information currently available to the IRBDC on this topic.

Bibliography

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 5 November 1991. "Latvia Suspends Registration of Immigrants" in Krasnaya Zvezda [Moscow], 30 October 1991.

_____. 19 October 1991. "'Strict Conditions' for Latvian Citizenship
Explained," Latvian Radio [Riga], 17 October 1991.

_____. 28 September 1991. "Latvian Supreme Council Forms Commission to Examine Issue of Passports," Radio Riga International [in English], 26 September 1991.

Current Digest of the Soviet Press (Current Digest). 13 November 1991. "Latvia" [Condensed Text] in Izvestia, 14 October 1991.

Professor with the Centre for Canadian-Soviet Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa. 10 December 1991. Telephone Interview.

Professor of Soviet Law, Rutgers University, New Jersey. 11 December 1991. Telephone Interview.

Radio Free Europe, New York. 12 December 1991. Telephone Interview with Representative.

Radio Free Europe (RFE). 27 September 1991. Report on the USSR. "Weekly Record of Events."

_____. 12 April 1991. Vol. 3, No. 15. Report on the USSR. Kionka, Riina. "Are the Baltic Laws Discriminatory?" Reuters. 16 September 1991. "Latvian Immigration Agency Proposes Paid Soviet Resettlement."

Soviet Press Digest. 2 November 1991. "The Last Day of Soviet Citizenship."

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 5 November 1991. "Latvia Suspends Registration of Immigrants" in Krasnaya Zvezda [Moscow], 30 October 1991.

_____. 28 September 1991. "Latvian Supreme Council Forms Commission to Examine Issue of Passports," Radio Riga International [in English], 26 September 1991.

Soviet Press Digest. 2 November 1991. "The Last Day of Soviet Citizenship."