More than 120 monuments glorifying occupation regime have been dismantled in Latvia

  • 2022-11-14
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - According to the information provided by Latvian municipalities, all 69 objects listed in the Cabinet of Ministers regulations, glorifying the Soviet and Nazi regimes, have been dismantled, and at the initiative of the local governments, another 55 objects of similar character have been removed as well, LETA learned from Culture Ministry's spokeswoman Lita Kokale.

The National Culture Heritage Board representative Janis Asaris underscored that the workgroup of the board had assessed the proposals on a total of 70 similar objects in the territory of Latvia, thus, the total number of dismantled objects might grow as local governments have undertaken to continue dismantling works also after November 15.

Kokale reminded that the 69 objects in the list of the Cabinet of Ministers regulations were not burial places of soldiers.

Local governments by November 22 have to submit applications, demanding the state to cover up to 50 percent of the dismantling costs.

As reported, a law banning display of objects glorifying Soviet and Nazi regimes and requiring their removal came into effect in Latvia on June 23 after the Saeima passed it on June 16. According to the law, all objects glorifying totalitarian regimes in Latvia's territory have to be removed by November 15.

The Cabinet of Ministers included 69 monuments in the list, but local governments could also demolish other objects at their own initiative.