ESTONIA

The Riigikogu recognised mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the final vote, 83 members of the Riigikogu supported the adoption of the Statement of the Riigikogu “On Recognising the Mass Deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an Act of Genocide” (521 AE). The Statement was submitted by 54 members of the Riigikogu.

In the Statement, the Riigikogu strongly condemns the extermination and the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars from their homeland on the Crimean Peninsula to the territories of Central Asia, which was planned and carried out by the totalitarian Soviet regime in March 1944. Around 200,000 Crimean Tatars were deported. Tens of thousands of them perished. The entire nation lost their homeland and was subjected to brutal Russification for decades. The prohibition to return to homeland was lifted only in November 1989.

The Statement underlines that in Crimea, which was occupied in 2014, the Russian Federation is continuing the policy of genocide pursued by the Soviet Union against the Crimean Tatars, with the aim of destroying the identity and erasing the historical and cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatars.

In the Statement, the Riigikogu condemns the continuation of the policy of genocide against Crimean Tatars through systematic detention, torture, kidnapping and the prohibition to learn and use their native language. The Riigikogu also calls on the international community to show solidarity with the Crimean Tatars and to continue to condemn the occupation and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The Riigikogu also requests the unconditional restoration of Ukraine’s national sovereignty over the territory occupied by the Russian Federation during the armed aggression that began in 2014, and underlines that Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine.

This is the nineth Statement that the Riigikogu has issued since the beginning of 2022 to condemn Russia’s actions and to express support to Ukraine. The Riigikogu has also adopted one Communication.

In the Statements, the Riigikogu has recognised the actions committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation, and has declared Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a state sponsor of terrorism, whose actions must be confronted together. The Riigikogu has supported Ukraine’s wish to become a member of NATO, requested holding to account individually those involved in planning, preparation, launching and committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and called on establishing for this a special international tribunal under the auspices of the UN. In February, the plenary of the Riigikogu adopted a Statement in which it condemned the deliberate and systematic deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia in violation of international law, and demanded the release of such children and the ensuring of their safe return to Ukraine.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
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Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu recognised mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide

Source: Parliament of Estonia

National parliaments discuss achieving a more peaceful future through science, technology, and innovation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Head of the delegation of the Riigikogu Maris Lauri points out in her speech that digital public services increase transparency, accessibility, and inclusiveness of political processes; however, it is important to ground the risks and educate the citizens. She refers to information war as an almost integral part of our lives.

“We need to improve our media and information literacy, grasp the importance of cyber hygiene, recognise the threats, false information, and acts of manipulation. Fake news often exploits existing social disparities, intensifying polarisation and increasing instability between communities,” Lauri says, adding that disinformation cannot be ignored or tolerated, but it should also not stand in the way of creating an accessible and engaging public sector and digital space.

Today, the Estonian parliamentarians take part in the work of the Twelve Plus Group, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Twelve Plus Group is made up of the European countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. On Sunday, the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) will meet at Estonia’s initiative, discussing ways to help the Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia to return home.

All the statutory bodies of the IPU will meet at the Assembly, including the Governing Council, the standing committees, the Committee on Human Rights and Democracy, and the Committee on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, and the Forum of Young Parliamentarians.

The standing committees will present reports on their work to the Assembly. The plenary will adopt a resolution on the topic of the extraordinary debate, as well as a resolution of the Committee on Human Rights and Democracy, which focuses on the impact of the AI on democracy, human rights, and rule of law. The Assembly will also adopt the outcome document of the General Debate.

Hundreds of MPs from parliaments across the world will attend the Assembly. The Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13–16 October 2023. Estonia is represented by the Vice-President of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi, President of the Estonian Interparliamentary Union Group Maris Lauri, and Vice-Presidents Helle-Moonika Helme, Helmen Kütt, and Peeter Tali.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest global organisation of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and has 180 member states from the entire world. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940 and restored its membership after regaining its independence in 1991.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
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Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: National parliaments discuss achieving a more peaceful future through science, technology, and innovation

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Namibia is an important African partner for Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Bilateral relations, economic cooperation, security situation and issues relating to international cooperation were addressed at the meeting.

Hussar underlined that Estonia and Namibia were small countries that valued the national independence they had won, and that it was important for them to preserve and defend it. “For Estonia, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is an existential issue, therefore we actively support Ukraine in every way. We have strongly condemned Russia’s aggression and consider it necessary that the aggressor should be severely punished. We wish that Namibia understood our concerns and supported the territorial integrity of states and adherence to international law and respect for the fundamental principles of the UN Charter in the resolution of this conflict,” Hussar said.

Hussar emphasised that in the fight against the aggressor state Russia, Ukraine was fighting for all of us in order to tame the ambitions of the invader.

Mushelenga assured that Namibia wanted peace between countries in conflict, both in Europe and in other crisis hotspots of the world.

Hussar and Mushelenga considered it important to develop parliamentary diplomacy and bilateral relations between their countries.

Hussar expressed his pleasure that the relations between Estonia and Namibia had become more active in recent years. “Namibia is an important for Estonia on the African continent,” Hussar pointed out. He added that the IT and green technologies sectors provided wide opportunities for cooperation.

Hussar said he was happy that there already was a functioning cooperation between the two countries in the IT sector, which made it possible to expand cooperation in digital transformation.

Chair of the Estonia-Africa Parliamentary Friendship Group Hanah Lahe also participated in the meeting.

Photos: (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Hussar: Namibia is an important African partner for Estonia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Amendments to Acts relating to child protection were discussed in the Riigikogu again

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Child Protection Act and Other Acts (427 SE), initiated by the Government, is to improve the identification of and assistance to children in need and to increase the number of foster families. Although everyone has a duty to report a child in need to the local government, many cases come to the attention of child protection too late. The role of people working with children in identifying children in need will therefore be increased.

The Bill will list specialists, such as teachers, coaches and doctors, who will have a special duty of care to identify a child’s need for help and to inform the child protection worker of the municipality thereof. The Bill will also specify the right of municipalities and the Social Insurance Board to process personal data in the performance of child protection tasks.

The Bill will increase support for foster, guardianship and adoptive families who have taken a child from another family to be raised in their family and will establish the content, organisation, volume and funding of the support services for family-based alternative care.

The Bill will also create the possibility for information on children in need of permanent support due to their health condition to be automatically transmitted to municipalities via information systems early on. A list of such health conditions will be set out in a regulation. However, according to a provisional agreement they will be blindness in both eyes, cancer diagnosis, rare disease, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. The aim of the amendment is to integrate the health and social services offered to children and families in order to ease the burden on parents. Once the information about a child is received, the municipality and the Social Protection Board will have an obligation to offer support measures to the family without the parent or guardian having to apply for assistance themselves.

During the debate, Riina Solman from Isamaa Parliamentary Group and Kert Kingo from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor.

The Social Affairs Committee moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Amendments to Acts relating to child protection were discussed in the Riigikogu again

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Economics and Security Committee visits Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The visit will focus on the impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on society and economy of Russia as well as on the economy and security of Estonia. There will also be discussions on the situation on the battlefield, further support to Ukraine and ensuring security in the Baltic Sea Region. Besides that, the capabilities and priorities of Estonia’s and NATO’s cyber defence will be discussed at the meetings.

Today, the representatives of the ESC meet with the Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO PA Raimond Kaljulaid and other members of the Estonian delegation and participate in discussions lasting the whole day in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Kalev Stoicescu and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will give the ESC delegation an overview of supporting Ukraine and strengthening the security of the Baltic Sea Region. Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Hendrik Johannes Terras will speak about the impact of sanctions on Russia’s economy. The representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Defence League and Foundation CR14 will also participate in the discussions.

On Thursday, the delegation will meet with Member of the Riigikogu Andres Sutt, who will speak about the impacts of Covid and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on Estonia’s economy. The ESC delegation will also have meetings with the representatives of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association and the National Centre for Defence Investments. On Friday, they will visit the military base in Tapa.

The delegation of the Economics and Security Committee of the NATO PA consists of nearly 20 members from NATO countries and Ukraine.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu). Please note: Photos will be uploaded during the day in accordance with the programme of the delegation.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Economics and Security Committee visits Estonia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Anti-Corruption Select Committee discusses issues relating to Nordica at a public sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart said that Nordica had not been privatised so far, that the company was making large losses, and that from 1 November, the cooperation of the national airline Nordica with SAS would end, after which several more aircraft would remain unused. “When managing and privatising a state enterprise in such a condition, it is important to be aware of the measures taken to avoid conflict of interest. Especially since criminal proceedings have been launched against the former members of the board of AS Nordic Aviation Group on the basis of a special audit report to establish whether the company had suffered any damage as a result of the contract,” the Chair of the Select Committee stated.

Kovalenko-Kõlvart added that at the sitting of the Select Committee on 7 October, the Prosecutor General had pointed out that public assets had not been used sustainably in the management of Nordica, and the company had also not submitted its annual report. “The management board of Nordica will submit their plan of action by 15 October, and the Select Committee considers it important to get an overview of the expectations of the Ministry of Climate regarding the action plan before that, so that it would be possible to compare them when the action plan is disclosed,” she said.

Minister of Infrastructure Vladimir Svet and Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Climate Sander Salmu have been invited to the public sitting of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee.

The sitting starts at 11 a.m. in Room L332 and it will be streamed online.

Video recording of the public sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Anti-Corruption Select Committee discusses issues relating to Nordica at a public sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Government of the Republic of Estonia approved a defence readiness exercise Okas

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —The Government of the Republic of Estonia decided to declare a defence readiness exercise Okas 24-1 (Quill), with up to 59 members of the Force Protection Company, Coastal Defence Squadron, Estonian Navy, ordered to participate the snap exercise (SNAPEX). Exercise Okas is of a defensive manner, aimed at practicing national …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Riigikogu wants to recognise mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The draft Statement strongly condemns the extermination and the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars from their homeland on the Crimean Peninsula to the territories of Central Asia, which was planned and carried out by the totalitarian Soviet regime in 1944. Around 200,000 Crimean Tatars were deported. Tens of thousands of them perished. The entire nation lost their homeland and was subjected to brutal Russification for decades. The prohibition to return to homeland was lifted only in November 1989.

The draft Statement underlines that in Crimea, which was occupied in 2014, the Russian Federation is continuing the policy of genocide pursued by the Soviet Union against the Crimean Tatars, with the aim of destroying the identity and erasing the historical and cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatars.

According to the draft Statement, the Riigikogu condemns the continuation of the policy of genocide against Crimean Tatars through systematic detention, torture, kidnapping and the prohibition to learn and use their native language. In addition, the Riigikogu calls on the international community to show solidarity with the Crimean Tatars and to continue to condemn the occupation and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The members of the Riigikogu also request the unconditional restoration of Ukraine’s national sovereignty over the territory occupied by the Russian Federation during the armed aggression that began in 2014, and underline that Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine.

The Foreign Affairs Committee will discuss the sending of the draft Statement to the plenary assembly of the Riigikogu for debate and voting this afternoon.

Exhibition on the history of the Crimean Tatars will be opened

Tomorrow, President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will open an exhibition on the history of Crimean Tatars “QIRIM İÇÜN / IN THE NAME OF CRIMEA” in the second floor gallery of Toompea Castle.

The exhibition has been prepared in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia, and representatives of the Embassy and the Ukrainian community will attend the opening. Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea Tamila Tasheva will deliver an online address.

The Riigikogu has issued eight statements in support of Ukraine

Since the beginning of 2022, the Riigikogu has adopted eight Statements and one Communication to condemn Russia’s activities and to express support to Ukraine. The Riigikogu has also recognised the actions committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation, and has declared Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a state sponsor of terrorism, whose actions must be confronted together. The Riigikogu has also supported the establishment of a centre for investigating Russia’s crime of aggression by the European Union in The Hague, called on the countries of the world to contribute in every way to the activities of the centre, and to continue with efforts to set up an international special tribunal.

The Riigikogu has supported Ukraine’s wish to become a member of NATO, requested holding to account individually those involved in planning, preparation, launching and committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and called on establishing for this a special international tribunal under the auspices of the UN. In February this year, the plenary of the Riigikogu adopted a Statement in which it condemned the deliberate and systematic deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia in violation of international law, and demanded the release of such children and the ensuring of their safe return to Ukraine.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu wants to recognise mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Kadri Tali: The fate of the Ukrainian children is an urgent crisis

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Tali emphasised that Russia’s war against Ukraine has led to extensive kidnappings and forced resettling, particularly when it comes to children. “Some estimates say that over 700,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia in order to “save” them. In actual fact, this is a deliberate activity aimed at robbing a nation of its future and identity,” she declared.

Tali compared this to parallels in the Estonian history, referred to the experiences of her own family, and emphasised that the events taking place in Ukraine constituted a genocide. “If the Estonian nation had lost the same proportion of its children, our whole nation would have been wiped out,” she said.

Tali stressed the urgency of the crisis, where every hesitation cost lives and broke up families. She pointed out that we were expected to intervene immediately if we ever saw a child in distress in our daily lives. “Then what are we waiting for now? If this was your child, would you hesitate?” Tali asked.

She ended her speech by calling the international community to quick and decisive action. “Separating children from their native country and their parents is not only a crime but also brings along irreparable consequences because of Russification,” Kadri Tali emphasised.

Member of the delegation Eerik-Niiles Kross, who is the PACE rapporteur on democratic forces in Russia, discussed the frameworks of future cooperation between the Council of Europe and Russian opposition politicians at his meeting with Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kross also initiated a resolution on improving communication with democratic forces in Russia. In addition, Kross was appointed a rapporteur on the legal consequences of Russia’s war of aggression.

The assembly also discussed fight against propaganda campaigns and disinformation. The Estonian delegation supports the relevant PACE resolutions and cooperates with the delegations of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Scandinavian countries to bring the topic into even greater focus.

The Estonian delegation to the PACE, made up of its head Kadri Tali and members Eerik-Niiles Kross and Aleksei Jevgrafov, took part in the PACE Autumn session in Strasbourg from 30 September until today.

Photos

Riigikogu Press Service
Merje Meisalu: +372 631 6300, +372 529 9512
merje.meisalu@riigikogu.ee
Questions: : press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Kadri Tali: The fate of the Ukrainian children is an urgent crisis

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson will discuss protecting security of the Baltic Sea at Warsaw Security Forum

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson and the representatives of the Swedish Navy and the Navy of the United Kingdom will speak at the panel discussion held tomorrow on the main stage of the forum, where protecting security of the Baltic Sea will be discussed. Vice President the American think tank RAND Corporation Barry Pavel will also participate in the discussion, which will be moderated by former Commander of the US Army Europe, Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges. Today, Mihkelson will participate in a roundtable discussion on Transatlantic security.

Over two days, the Security Forum will discuss Transatlantic cooperation and security, redefining of Europe’s role, and developing a broader strategy towards Russia. Issues to be addressed at the Forum will include support for Ukraine, increasing the capabilities of the defence industry, strengthening energy security, protecting critical infrastructure, the use of new technologies and defence spending. The discussions of the Forum will also cover the enlargement of NATO and the European Union and Ukraine’s aspirations to become a member of both organisations.

The Warsaw Security Forum, which takes place for the 11th time, is organised by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, a Polish think tank focusing on Central and Eastern European issues, in cooperation with NATO and, this year, also with Sweden.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Mihkelson will discuss protecting security of the Baltic Sea at Warsaw Security Forum

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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