In response to the views expressed by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, on a law passed in Hungary (which aims to protect children and young people from gender ideology) several Latvian NGOs working in the field of family rights (and represented on the Council for Demographic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister) have called for his resignation from office, considering that he has clearly violated the basic principle of democracy enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Satversme) and has not expressed the opinion of the majority of Latvian society.
On Jun 15, 2021, the Hungarian parliament approved a bill banning educational programs and materials that promote homosexuality, non-biological gender identity and gender reassignment among minors. Among other things, the law also prohibits children and young people from accessing books and films depicting destructive alternative lifestyles. These provisions are part of a broader package of laws that provide for tougher penalties for sexual offenses against children and young people, as well as the establishment of a “pedophile register”.
The Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš, without the delegation of the government, without mandate of Parliament (Saeima) has signed a document at the meeting of ministers for European affairs, which confirms the readiness to fight for the rights of the LGBT community. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned the newly adopted Hungarian law and said “she will use all the legal powers of European Commission to ensure that the rights of all EU citizens are guaranteed”.
The Hungarian Parliament supported the law by an overwhelming majority (157 in favor, 1 against), thus expressing the will of the Hungarian people. Hungarian politicians, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, are genuinely concerned not only with demography and the growth of families, but also with the safety and well-being of children.
Throughout the past decade, Hungary has been an example to Latvia in implementing family policy and protecting the rights of parents and children.
In Latvia, a Memorandum for strengthening family values[1] has been created, uniting the defenders of a natural family: 107 NGOs, 59 companies and 80 congregations.
Experience to date has shown that Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš is completely indifferent to the needs of natural families, demographic issues, as well as the protection of the rights of parents and children. The Prime Minister of Latvia, as the Chairman of the Council for Demographic Affairs, has never convened a meeting of the Council for Demographic Affairs on his own initiative, nor has he congratulated Latvian families on the International Family Day. Now he has also embarrassed our country internationally, because on behalf of Latvia he has openly interfered in the internal affairs of a sovereign state – Hungary.
Latvian politicians and non-governmental organizations (NGO) publicly apologize to Hungarian politicians and the public for the actions of the Prime Minister of Latvia!
We believe that the protection of the rights of children and parents must be a top priority and that every country must respect the natural rights of parents in the upbringing of their children. Only in this way will it be possible to ensure the survival of every nation through the centuries.
| 1. Ramona Petraviča | Member of Parliament, Latvia. Former Minister for Welfare |
| 2. Inguna Rībena | Member of Parlament Latvia |
| 3. Māris Možvillo | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 4. Armands Krauze | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 5. Jūlija Stepaņenko | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 6. Jānis Iesalnieks | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 7. Ļubova Švecova | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 8. Edgars Tavars | Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 9. Eva Mārtuža | Writer, Member of Parliament, Latvia |
| 10. Daniels Balodis | National Alliance Youth organization |
| 11. Jurģis Klotiņš | Riga City Council |
| 12. Ieva Siliņa | Riga City Council |
| 13. Aivars Draudiņš | Riga City Council |
| 14. Viktors Birze | National Union “Justice” |
| NGO Family Association |
| NGO Latvian Association of Men |
| NGO Open Governmental Partnership in Latvia |
| Family Development and Culture Center “Alise” |
| Family Education and Development Fund ĀBEĻZIEDS |
| Union of Latvian Large Families Associations (ULLFA) |
| Development fund “Stari” |
| Social Reforms Society |
| NGO “Aiz žoga” |
| NGO Our children |
| Association of Large Families of Vecumnieki Saulgrieze |
| NGO MZL |
| Energy Efficient Technologies and Systems Ltd |
| NGO Support for nacional soldiers |
| NGO Open for Christ |
| NGO Latvian land, nature, nation |
| NGO “Spiritual Center REVIVAL” |
| NGO Parents’ alliance |
| NGO UNIVERSUM |
| Association of Latvian Catholic Students and Academicians DZINTARS |
| NGO Moral revolution |
| NGO “Survival School Latvia” |
| NGO Nigeste |
| NGO BREATH |
| NGO The Rising Sun |
| The foundation Latvia Charity Bank |
| NGO Latvian Shields |
| Our Lady’s Children’s Association |
| NGO For New Latvia |
| NGO Light in the world |
| NGO The Heritage of Karosta |
| NGO Environmental Protection Club |
| NGO Peripatos |
| Foundation “Bread of Life” |
[1] Memorands ģimenes vērtību stiprināšanai
