■ Jānis Šmits, the anti-gay member of the Latvian Sarima.

RIGA and BRUSSELS, November 20, 2005  –  The Lativan Saeima (Parliament) has confirmed this afternoon the nomination of Jānis Šmits as the chairperson of the Saeima’s Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee.  And Europe is outraged.

The politician from the LLP (First Party of Latvia) was elected by a 5-3 vote of the committee.

Mr. Šmits has a history of hate speech and incitement to hatred an violence towards gay men an women – he was most vocal against the first two Riga Prides – in 2005 and earlier this year – and initiated the deletion of “sexual orientation” from the labour law, having no regard for a European Union directive.

Additionally, he has actively expressed opposition to any advance of LGBT rights.

There was immediate and vociferous reaction in Brussels to the election of Jānis Šmits.

The European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights “deplored” the confirmation as “an insult to those who believe in a European Union founded upon the principles of human rights, diversity, and equality”.

“Clearly, such an important position, one of the highest level posts in the Latvian legislature to handle issues of human rights and social affairs, should be held by an individual who protects and promotes the values enshrined by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,” fumed Raul Romeva (Spain), vice-president of the Intergroup.

The Intergroup had earlier urged the Latvian Parliament to reconsider its choice, asking the members of the Saeima to follow the courageous acts of its European counterpart when it refused to accept the nomination of Mr. Buttiglione for similar reasons.

The current European Commission had to be reshuffled following the European Parliament’s opposition to the candidature of Mr. Buttiglione for the post of Commissioner for Justice, Freedom, and Security.

“Mr. Buttiglione’s views were not in line with EU values on equality, human rights, and the separation of church and state,” Sophie In’t Veld (The Netherlands), another Intergroup vice president remembered.

“He clearly could not be in charge of promoting fundamental rights,” she said this afternoon.

Ms. In’t Veld is also chair of the European Parliaments’s Working Group on the Separation between Religion and Politics.

In a recent statement, Mr Šmits said:  “As a representative of Christianity in the Latvian Parliament, I am proud that we have been able to protect the law that strengthens the traditional family from changes.  My country is no cheap prostitute that will sell herself for European money. We are prepared to pay fines to Europe, but we will defend our reputation.”

And in Parliamentary debates, Mr. Jānis Šmits frequently quotes the Old Testament in defence of his old-fashioned values, arguing in favour of a world-view that advocates sexual minorities should be put to death.

“Mr. Jānis Šmits has been a vocal opponent to universal human rights, advocating a world in which gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender peoples have no rights to protection, no rights to exist,” said Michael Cashman (United Kingdom), president of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights.

“It is our common duty, as politicians, to ensure that we do not make grave errors of judgement by selecting individuals who are ill-suited to take charge of such crucial dossiers.”

In Latvia, the nomination has cause considerably debate.  Even the press see the nomination as a cynical result of political agreement behind closed doors as the ruling coalition agreed to support his nomination.

Most human rights and political experts in Latvia regard his nomination as hypocritical.

The three members of the Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee who voted against the appointment of Jānis Šmits are believed to be  Boriss Cilevics (“Harmony Centre” party), Ingrida Circene (opposition “New Era” party and chairperson of this Committee during the previous parliament) and Ina Druviete (opposition “New Era” party).

LINK

European Parliament Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights website