Restrictions on government officials traveling to Russia and Belarus may be enforced shortly
The Latvian government has drafted a new law that aims to prohibit certain state officials from traveling to Russia and Belarus, following similar measures already in place in Lithuania. The law, which is expected to be considered by the Saeima's Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee in three readings, is a response to heightened security concerns amid ongoing regional tensions and the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The main goal of the law is to safeguard Latvia from infiltration, espionage, and other security threats connected to the ongoing conflict and political repression in Belarus and Russia. It aims to mitigate several risks, including preventing unauthorized or suspicious cross-border activities, limiting incursions or influence from Russian and Belarusian officials potentially involved in activities hostile to Latvian and EU interests, and controlling illegal border crossings and violations of residence conditions by individuals from Russia and Belarus.
The law will enter into force soon after its adoption by the Saeima. It will apply to officials of the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Justice, and their subordinate institutions, military facilities, customs, Tax and Customs Police, Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, diplomatic or consular service, and judicial or prosecutorial institutions. Employees responsible for the security of critical infrastructure, such as electricity, water, natural gas supply, hospitals, bridges, airports, ports, and railway facilities, are also included in the ban.
The law encourages voluntary compliance before enforcing the ban, but it will be enforced by the force of law as voluntary appeals are not considered sufficient due to security risks. Violations of the travel ban could lead to dismissal from work. The ban could come into force as early as this spring.
Exceptions to the travel ban include work-related travel and humanitarian reasons like attending funerals or due to a relative's illness. Special permits will be issued for travel in certain circumstances. The law does not specify the exact number of state institution employees the ban will apply to, but estimates suggest up to about 40,000 officials.
The drafting of the law was prompted by warnings from the State Security Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the risks of travel to Russia and Belarus. Cases of employees of state administration institutions traveling to Russia and Belarus, although rare, exist. The main risks that this law is intended to mitigate are recruitment efforts by the special services of both neighboring countries and organized provocations by security services against a Latvian resident.
Involving a visitor in a staged traffic accident and charging them under local laws is an example of an organized provocation by security services. The offer to avoid prosecution by cooperating with the services of the neighboring country, providing the information they request, is a form of recruitment. The law seeks to protect Latvia's national security by preventing such activities.
Sources: 1. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/latvia-proposes-ban-travel-russia-belarus-state-officials-2021-09-03/ 2. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58706890 3. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/latvia-proposes-ban-travel-russia-belarus-state-officials-2021-09-03/ 4. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/latvia-proposes-ban-travel-russia-belarus-state-officials-2021-09-03/ 5. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/latvia-proposes-ban-travel-russia-belarus-state-officials-2021-09-03/
- The travel ban for certain state officials in Latvia, as outlined in the upcoming policy-and-legislation, is a response to ongoing regional politics and the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine, aiming to safeguard the country from security threats and infiltration by Russian and Belarusian officials.
- The new law being considered by the Saeima's Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee not only covers officials from ministries and subordinate institutions but also those responsible for the security of critical infrastructure, such as electricity, water, bridges, airports, and hospitals, as a precaution against organized provocations and recruitment efforts by neighboring countries' security services.
