National freedom cannot be taken for granted - Rinkevics

RIGA - Freedom cannot be taken for granted, because it is fragile and requires attention every day, emphasized President Edgars Rinkevics, who participated in a conference in Riga on Friday dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the 1991 barricades called "The January 1991 barricades as an expression of popular resistance to a totalitarian regime and lessons for today."

He said that Russia's aggression in Ukraine is a reminder that freedom, democracy, and freedom of speech are not self-evident truths. Rinkevics pointed out that this period echoes the events of 35 years ago, when the barricades were built, and even then there were no illusions that freedom was guaranteed, because the responsibility for protecting freedom rested on "our own shoulders".

The President emphasized that today, alongside the daily work of strengthening security capabilities, other barricades must be erected again-barricades of steadfastness in thought and responsibility, because today the main battle is also being fought "for our minds and our hearts."

He said that this is precisely where it is decided who society believes, who it trusts, and where it draws the line on manipulation. Rinkevics explained that resilience is tested by attempts to divide society, undermine trust in the state, and damage the sense of security, independence, and freedom. The President added that it is precisely the strength of these barriers of resilience that determines how easy a target society becomes for various types of attacks.

Rinkevics highlighted the importance of the information space and the mass media, pointing out that without a true reflection of reality, it is not possible to make sensible, development-based decisions. In his view, without a common understanding of the facts, unified action is impossible, and without unified action, it is impossible to defend oneself.

He said that free, professional, and independent mass media are part of the security infrastructure, and that intimidating journalists, questioning their work, and deliberately sowing distrust is not a genuine exchange of views, but a security risk.

Speaking about young people, Rinkevics said that young people in Latvia are getting involved, taking responsibility and taking action by participating in public processes, joining the National Defense Service, or actively expressing their opinions, and this can be seen in the Youth Guard movement, in schools, in business, and in communities.

At the same time, he acknowledged that young people are often listened to, but sometimes decisions are made without them. The President emphasized that if we want sustainable barricades and a sustainable future, young people must be active participants in these barricades with real participation, trust, and the opportunity to influence decisions.