First reading of the bill (521 AE) on the declaration of the 1944 mass deportation of the Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-10-16 18:04
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 39m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The third item on the agenda concerned the procedure for the first reading of draft resolution 521 of the Riigikogu, "Recognizing the expulsion of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an act of genocide." The submitted resolution had the participation of 54 members of the Riigikogu, and the foreign affairs committee was designated as the leading committee; the Riigikogu board accepted the resolution into procedure on October 8th. The content of the resolution focused on three main themes: firstly, the affirmation that this was an act of genocide – the deportation of the Crimean Tatars and the destruction of these people has fallen into one of history’s darkest categories; secondly, the contemporary situation on the Crimean peninsula, where Russia has continued a repressive policy since 2014 and the suppression of cultural and national identity; thirdly, the statement that Crimea belongs to Ukraine and must in the future be part of Ukraine’s composition so that the indigenous people can return to their homeland.
The authors of the resolution expressed solidarity with Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars and called on the international community to recognize and confirm the past and present status of Crimea as part of Ukraine. It was also emphasized that, as the genocide continues through historical and contemporary events, it is important that states and international organizations respond and preserve memory and justice in an international context. For the members of the Riigikogu, it was important to demonstrate historical responsibility and to create a space for discussion and legal assessment that could contribute to international accountability and future decisions regarding the status of Crimea.
Decisions Made 2
The Foreign Affairs Committee decided unanimously to submit a proposal to the Riigikogu Bureau to place the draft statement on the agenda for Wednesday, October 16, under item 521, and to hold a final vote.
The Riigikogu adopted bill 521, “Recognizing the 1944 mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide,” as a Riigikogu declaration. The final vote resulted in 83 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Mati Raidma (Member of Parliament, Isamaa). He presented twice as a speaker and his participation primarily characterized the highlighting of the initiative and its international perspective. In addition, other factions on the right were also represented (Henn Põlluaas and Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa), as well as representatives from the Reform Party, Kalev Stoicescu and Marko Mihkelson – all of these were equally active, but Mati Raidma presents the specific initiative and the ultimate goal. As a status, they are all on the right side of the political spectrum.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The third item on the Riigikogu's agenda was the first reading of draft bill No. 521, the goal of which is to recognize the 1944 mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide. Mati Raidma served as the rapporteur.
Mati Raidma
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Riigikogu initiated a draft resolution to recognize the great deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 as an act of genocide, emphasizing the tragic historical fate of the over 200,000 deportees and the continuing policy of genocide resulting from the current Russian occupation. Furthermore, it affirms that Crimea belongs to Ukraine, calling on the international community to recognize this and show solidarity with Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter for the report, noting that there were no questions, and Foreign Affairs Committee member Henn Põlluaas will introduce the discussion and standpoints of the lead committee.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas said that the Foreign Affairs Committee decided to bring Bill 521 to the final vote on October 16, and he hopes that the Riigikogu members will vote in favor of the declaration, because the 1944 mass deportation of Crimean Tatars is an indelible and timeless genocide that must be condemned.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks, opens the negotiations, and Urmas Reinsalu speaks on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu acknowledged Mati Raidma’s initiative, confirmed the support of the Isamaa parliamentary group for the draft statement, and called on all members of parliament to adopt it. He emphasized the importance of national unity and the necessity of declaring genocide in light of past repressions, noting that this step has already been taken globally by Ukraine (2015), Latvia and Lithuania (2019), and Canada and Poland (2024). He added that Estonia would be the third parliament in this new wave to adopt the statement, while simultaneously calling for comprehensive support for Ukraine, honoring the suffering of the Crimean Tatars, and remembering the victims of the Soviet occupation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the EKRE faction, Anti Poolamets requests additional time and is granted three extra minutes.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets stressed that Estonia must recognize and continue the investigation of the Soviet Union's crimes of genocide, including the Holodomor and acts directed against the Crimean Tatars and Ingrians, and establish a bureau under the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs for the investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of genocide that are not subject to the statute of limitations, while cooperating closely with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, and founding an international center for the investigation of communism and genocide crimes in Patarei Prison by 2026.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and states that he is representing Ester Karuse on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, presumably based on the authorization granted.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The statement issued by the Riigikogu declares the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 to be genocide, recalls the suffering and the attempts made to destroy their cultural identity, calls upon the international community to recognize this as genocide, and stresses that Estonia stands for freedom and human rights, supports Ukraine's victory and the territorial integrity of Crimea, and views Russia's actions as a blatant violation of international law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker expresses thanks, and Kalev Stoicescu, on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, submits a request.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu describes the historical tragedy of the Crimean Tatars—genocide and mass deportations during the Tsarist and Soviet periods, their subsequent return, and the forced Russification occurring after the 2014 occupation. He also emphasizes the moral necessity of adopting the declaration presented to the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu signals three minutes of added time.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu thanked Mati, affirmed his commitment to ethical and political principles, and stated that Crimea would return to Ukraine and the Crimean Tatars would return to their historical homeland, urging everyone to unanimously support the declaration.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offers thanks on behalf of the Reform Party faction and then addresses his good colleague Marko Mihkelson with a request.
Marko Mihkelson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Marko Mihkelson confirmed that the Reform Party is proposing a critically important step: recognizing the crimes committed in Ukraine as having the dimensions of genocide. This move establishes the necessary legal framework and ensures accountability, recalling both the recognition of the Holodomor and the discussions held in 2022. He further noted that Estonia must continue to lead by example. The subsequent steps will involve discussions with the head of the Ukrainian parliament and participation in the Crimea Platform summit in Riga, and he urged everyone to vote in favor of this draft resolution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
On behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, the speech presents a request and expresses profound thanks to colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats highlighted the tragic toll of the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars, affirmed the significance of the declaration initiated by Mati Raidma, and recalled both the revival of Crimean Tatar culture and the strength demonstrated by those who stood up for them. Furthermore, he confirmed the Estonian Centre Party's support for the declaration and called upon all Riigikogu members to vote in favor of it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi concluded the negotiations, announced that no amendments had been submitted, and is moving Draft Resolution 521 to the final vote regarding the Riigikogu statement, "Recognition of the 1944 Mass Deportation of Crimean Tatars as an Act of Genocide."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Eighty-three members of the Riigikogu voted in favor; there were no opposing votes or abstentions, and Bill 521 was adopted as a statement.