Thefts
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth session, press briefing.
Date: 2024-12-11 14:40
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth question before the Riigikogu addressed the topic of thefts and the socio-economic impacts arising from them. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the Ministry of Justice and Digital Transformation regarding thefts. The discussion highlighted that crime had been on a downward trend in the previous decade, but last year’s statistics showed an upward trend (~4%), which is primarily associated with the impact of the socio-economic situation. The main points of the discussion were: how and to what extent should the impact of tax and socio-economic changes on crime be linked, and how to ensure assistance to the most vulnerable – not just punishment, but real coping and assistance that promotes social resilience. Another central theme was the role of local governments in preventing thefts, and the need for a more humane, direct-engagement, and collaborative approach, where a social worker can respond to situations along with the police and offer immediate assistance. The interaction between state and local services is seen as an opportunity to reduce the consequences of thefts and focus on prevention and assistance for those people who actually need help.
Decisions Made 1
Next year, in relation to theft, the priority will be to conduct a deeper analysis of thefts and strive to better understand which measures are most effective. Additionally, greater emphasis will be placed on human assistance: involving local government social workers and fostering more effective cooperation with the police, in order to deal with thieves more through the creation of assistance and coping opportunities rather than through increased penalties. When simplifying procedures, the focus will be on three client groups: minors, adults with addiction issues and those in need of assistance, and extremely vulnerable people who commit theft due to a lack of food and essential goods.
Most Active Speaker
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart – Member of the Riigikogu; position: other.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart asks the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta about burglaries.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart notes that although crime had been on a downward trend for more than ten years, it rose again last year, and the reasons for burglaries point to economic difficulties, and she asks whether this analysis has been presented to other members of the government and whether conclusions have been drawn from it or whether other members of the government share Jürgen Ligi's view that the state's functioning is a priority.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that in theft cases the focus should be on providing on-site assistance to people in need together with the police and social work, rather than punishment, and next year this topic will be studied even more thoroughly.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanked Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti and asked her to pose a clarifying question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In Kovalenko-Kõlvarti's speech it is emphasized that the growth of theft is caused by people's poverty and food shortages, and the planned tax increases, including the future security tax, may deepen poverty and undermine internal security, which in turn may lead to an increase in the number of thefts and overall crime, and therefore it is asked whether an analysis of the impact of tax increases on crime is being planned and whether theft could rise even further in the near future.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Thefts stem mainly from organized crime and addictions, and the impact of tax changes has not been proven; therefore we should focus on humanitarian aid, simplify and speed up procedures for minors and adults who do not have a clear criminal inclination, and increase cooperation between local governments and the police, so that help reaches those in need and public expenditure would decrease.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks that Lauri Laats present an additional question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Lauri Laats pointed out that, according to the Development Monitoring Center's studies, the revenue gap among local governments is widening, and the added obligations reduce their financial capacity, which is reflected in the deepening of regional inequality and in the growth of crime and theft.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Next year the priority is dealing with thefts, but the central focus is on three groups in need of help: elderly people with age-related cognitive decline, minors, and those living in difficult life circumstances who need food and money, not punishment — and on making humane aid accessible through better cooperation, local governments and social work, and on simplifying procedures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and announces that today's consideration of the fourth question has ended.