News
Press Conference - Civil amendments
The alternative childcare alliance met this year on February 9 at the Grand Palace Hotel in Riga, and held a press conference with the aim to draw public attention to the Ministry of Justice-led amendments to the Civil Code.
The drafted law will cause substantial changes in child protection laws. The press conference was led by the University of Latvia Faculty of Theology Professor and Society "Zvannieki" founder Juris Cālītis. Amendments to the posed challenges were looked at by scientists, NGO leaders, and representatives of Latvian culture. Every spokesman pointed to the significant risks posed to children's rights in the event that the government would approve the bill at its second reading. J. Cālītis stressed that the amendments to the Civil Code will erode the already established laws that were set 77 years ago during Latvia’s interwar years that serve to ensure every child's legal protection.
He also pointed out that currently most children without parental care are raised directly by guardians, of which 23% are those who are not relatives of the child. Changes to article 235.un 236. will prevent these people who are not relatives of the child, to take on the duties of guardianship.
LU Faculty of Humanities Professor Leon Taivāns noted that the proposed amendments to the Civil Code is a new State measure to promote Latvian depopulation, which is contrary to the Latvian National Development Plan guidelines. The meaning of these amendments is to eliminate our co-responsibility for children who are orphaned, and to place them in impersonal institutions (orphanages), and to stimulate adoption (or "sales") abroad, losing human resources, and loss of humanity. According to L. Taiwan, in Latvia there are many compassionate people who would take on the care of foster children. By amending these laws, the kindness of these people will no longer be made available.
"Zvannieki" board member Linda Baļčūne pointed out that the proposed amendments to the Civil Law fundamentally destroys the custody Institute of the Civil Law by deleting the concept of public duty. By excluding article 234. from the amendments, it alienates foster children from Latvian society. On the other hand, changes in the Ministry of Justice Article 242 offers the possibility of foreigners becoming guardians of Latvian children, thus continuing Latvian children's deportation from the country. Latvian Pride winner, Association "Azote" Inese Fecere explained that the amendments to the Civil Code will fully eliminate the many cases where people have responded to the cry for help from a particular child and thus became a guardian. The most characteristic examples she mentioned the “Latvian Pride” guardians Jolanta Borjaginu who became guardain of a critically ill infant and Regina Goldberg, who became the patron of the sick child, whose biological parents had abandoned.
Ilze Golvere, who has for 20 years led the Latvian Foster Family Association, emphasized that the custody advantage of guardians in comparison with other forms of care, is complex and long-term, and is in accordance with international law. The advantages it provides of placing children in the long term care of a family environment should take precedence. In conclusion, Evita Zālīte, soloist of the National Opera and guardian of 4 foster children, underlined the public responsibility for the children of Latvia and to unite together in order to protect Latvia and its children.
— February 13, 2015
The alternative childcare alliance met this year on February 9 at the Grand Palace Hotel in Riga, and held a press conference with the aim to draw public attention to the Ministry of Justice-led amendments to the Civil Code.
The drafted law will cause substantial changes in child protection laws. The press conference was led by the University of Latvia Faculty of Theology Professor and Society "Zvannieki" founder Juris Cālītis. Amendments to the posed challenges were looked at by scientists, NGO leaders, and representatives of Latvian culture. Every spokesman pointed to the significant risks posed to children's rights in the event that the government would approve the bill at its second reading. J. Cālītis stressed that the amendments to the Civil Code will erode the already established laws that were set 77 years ago during Latvia’s interwar years that serve to ensure every child's legal protection.
He also pointed out that currently most children without parental care are raised directly by guardians, of which 23% are those who are not relatives of the child. Changes to article 235.un 236. will prevent these people who are not relatives of the child, to take on the duties of guardianship.
LU Faculty of Humanities Professor Leon Taivāns noted that the proposed amendments to the Civil Code is a new State measure to promote Latvian depopulation, which is contrary to the Latvian National Development Plan guidelines. The meaning of these amendments is to eliminate our co-responsibility for children who are orphaned, and to place them in impersonal institutions (orphanages), and to stimulate adoption (or "sales") abroad, losing human resources, and loss of humanity. According to L. Taiwan, in Latvia there are many compassionate people who would take on the care of foster children. By amending these laws, the kindness of these people will no longer be made available.
"Zvannieki" board member Linda Baļčūne pointed out that the proposed amendments to the Civil Law fundamentally destroys the custody Institute of the Civil Law by deleting the concept of public duty. By excluding article 234. from the amendments, it alienates foster children from Latvian society. On the other hand, changes in the Ministry of Justice Article 242 offers the possibility of foreigners becoming guardians of Latvian children, thus continuing Latvian children's deportation from the country. Latvian Pride winner, Association "Azote" Inese Fecere explained that the amendments to the Civil Code will fully eliminate the many cases where people have responded to the cry for help from a particular child and thus became a guardian. The most characteristic examples she mentioned the “Latvian Pride” guardians Jolanta Borjaginu who became guardain of a critically ill infant and Regina Goldberg, who became the patron of the sick child, whose biological parents had abandoned.
Ilze Golvere, who has for 20 years led the Latvian Foster Family Association, emphasized that the custody advantage of guardians in comparison with other forms of care, is complex and long-term, and is in accordance with international law. The advantages it provides of placing children in the long term care of a family environment should take precedence. In conclusion, Evita Zālīte, soloist of the National Opera and guardian of 4 foster children, underlined the public responsibility for the children of Latvia and to unite together in order to protect Latvia and its children.