Declaration on Latvian Legionnaires in World War II

Declaration on Latvian Legionnaires in World War II (Latvian: Deklarācija par latviešu leģionāriem Otrajā pasaules karā) was adopted by the sixth Saeima in its second-to-last meeting on October 29, 1998.[1] With Saeima composed of 100 MPs, 50 votes were cast in favour, 8 against. The rapporteur MP, Jānis Mauliņš, said before the vote, that “this decision will be our position towards our soldiers who truly fought for the independence of Latvia”.[2]

The declaration was answered with criticism by the lower house of the parliament of Russia[3] and by its foreign ministry.[4]

In 2007, a draft of another declaration, revoking the 1998 declaration, was submitted to the Saeima. It was rejected, by 63 votes to 18.[5]

In 2011, members of the Saeima from the National Alliance filed a question to the prime minister asking how the resolutive part of the declaration - "the Latvian government is obliged to do the following: 1) demand the occupying countries and their successors in title to observe international law and pay Latvian citizens, their family members and heirs compensation for losses incurred as a result of illegal impressment into the armies of the occupying countries; 2) prevent insults against the honour and dignity of Latvian soldiers in Latvia and abroad." - gets implemented.[6]