Overview of the Implementation of the Fundamentals of Criminal Policy until 2030
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-12-16 17:45
Total Speeches: 70
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 41m
AI Summaries: 70/70 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The present agenda deals with the implementation of the fundamental principles of criminal policy until 2030, viewed through a 2023 overview. The presentation length is up to 20 minutes, and each member of the Riigikogu is entitled to ask a question; negotiations are open to parliamentary groups and the minister. The presenter is prospective Minister of Justice and Digital Transformation, Liisa-Ly Pakosta. The structure of the agenda was primarily deliberative and guiding for real decisions: the focus is on planning future steps and drafts, including accelerated procedures and the area of preventative measures. Key topics included cybersecurity and the growth of cybercrime, victim protection, accelerating digital proceedings, the topics of victims with special needs and family and neighborhood safety, improving preventative work and cooperation, and issues related to regional impact in the context of court closures and digital solutions. This was followed by a consideration of the links between narcotics and crime, future possibilities for the court and prison systems, and regional challenges, including the matter of the Põlva courthouse.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made by the Riigikogu; the agenda included only a reporting overview and guiding plans. It was noted that the draft law on accelerating criminal proceedings is moving at the coalition level as part of a collaborative effort and will soon reach the Riigikogu for coordination; emphasis was also placed on further expanding preventive work and victim protection, as well as developing digital proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Jaanus Karilaid (pid M_I0ti5l7pQ); he posed critical and thorough questions and highlighted regional influence, as well as court and prison-related themes. He belongs to the opposition and his speech reflected an active parliamentary debate and attention to burdensome issues.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, introduces today's third agenda item, which is an overview of the implementation of the fundamental principles of criminal policy up to the year 2030, informs that the presentation will last up to 20 minutes, notes that each member of the Riigikogu can submit one question, and that negotiations are open to the parliamentary groups and the minister, and asks that the presenter at the Riigikogu's rostrum be the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Affairs Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta told the Riigikogu that Estonia's criminal policy focuses on prevention and better protection of victims, on speeding up digital proceedings, on the fight against computer fraud, on anti-corruption work, and on reducing recidivism through rehabilitation and evidence-based prevention, while maintaining harsh penalties for offenses dangerous to society.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks the minister and invites questions to be asked, and then gives the floor to Jaanus Karilaid.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid notes that crime indicators fell from 2012 to 2022, but in 2023 the reduction in funding for extracurricular education, along with the economic downturn and increasing workloads, may be related to a rise in crime, and he asks whether a connection is seen in this or whether people distance themselves from it.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasizes that online scams are the biggest concern, and that the family should, together with loved ones, devise simple security questions so that malicious people won’t call pretending to be their child and won’t ask for money.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invites his colleague to speak about Urve Tiidus.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus points out that the number of cyber scams and cybercrimes is increasing in Estonia, asks for examples of how they are caught and punished, and stresses the need for broad media-awareness campaigns and practical training.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta's message is that in crisis situations personal contact is the most important form of clarification, and although the media is important and exact numbers will be sent in writing later, involvement and cooperation between citizens, families and the police, and, for example, the interception of couriers, are indispensable, because people may find it hard to believe something that is too good, and therefore information must be repeated to people in person several times.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson asks Igor Taro to come onto the stage.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro asks how to ensure people's sense of security and protection of rights across Estonia, especially in South-Eastern Estonia in the context of the closure of the Põlva courthouse, and how to maintain local access to court services — should physical services remain in the regions while increasing internet accessibility.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
To summarize: the cuts to the court system are difficult, but against the backdrop of digital transformation and a decrease in the number of proceedings, agreements to reduce the workload in the Riigikogu and the closure of the Põlva courthouse are being considered, while at the same time aiming to preserve a sense of security and to ensure the state's core service.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi notes that although the statistics on juvenile crime are satisfactory in themselves, this year there have been several shocking cases of crimes against persons (murder, lynching, etc.), and he asks whether current youth guidance measures are sufficient and what the state should do to prevent juvenile delinquency and serious crimes against persons.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Andre Hanimägi onto the stage.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Although the overall decline in juvenile offenses continues, indicators of theft and of the sale of narcotics to minors have increased, and the state, together with local governments and schools, must pay greater attention to preventing these two areas by applying prevention council methods such as bullying-prevention trainings and the Ring Out model, and by emphasizing the importance of peer intervention and seeking help.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Madis Timpson to come and perform.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Timpson applauds the bill to speed up criminal proceedings and asks about the topic of renting out prisons, how far it has progressed, whether it is still on the agenda, and whether it could ever be possible.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta announced that the government has been mandated to clarify under what conditions the leasing out of a prison would be possible; the deadline is the end of March, and the decision will be made on the basis of an analysis of constitutionality, international law and human rights, and Estonia's security, with a focus on ensuring people's safety.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asks to give the floor to Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo points out that drug use among young people is a growing problem, that synthetic opioids have arrived in Estonia and are very dangerous, and he asks whether the state has acknowledged the problem and is planning concrete measures to bring it under control.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The briefing highlighted the rise in drug overdoses and easier access to synthetic substances, and deemed reform of the punitive policy necessary, as well as offering assistance to families and focusing on holding distributors accountable, so that minors do not easily fall into addiction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas points out that the closing of the Põlva courthouse will cause job losses and send an extremely negative message to the region, and asks for the decision to be reconsidered and for actions to be directed to Põlva, not to Tallinn or Tartu.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that the priority is people, not buildings, and to safeguard the functioning of the court the option of online court hearings will be used, and two courthouses in Tallinn and Pärnu will be merged to retain those who actually dispense justice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This is a short prayer addressed to Irja Lutsar.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar asks whether the European Union can jointly take action to stop the spread of synthetic cannabinoids originating from China, which are distributed by post when ordered online and which are easy to produce in China.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The presentation stressed that the European Union must increasingly ban legal ingredients and use digital tools and digital forensics in the fight against drugs, citing the influx arriving through major ports, the frequency of prison inspections, and, based on wastewater analyses, approximately 60,000 drug users in Estonia. And although cooperation with Europol is improving, overdoses and illegal weapons remain a major challenge, and it was stressed the importance of loved ones noticing early signs and the need for special attention to minors at the onset of vaping.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls on Andrus Seeme.
Andrus Seeme
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrus Seeme asked about the closure of the Põlva courthouse, noting that the building is located within police premises, and asked how large the state's savings would be and whether, after the closure, there would be vacant heated spaces.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that the savings on the building will amount to about 130,000 euros per year, which forms part of the total sum of 4.4 million euros, and will eventually reach people, and court proceedings will move more toward online courts and mobile solutions, including outreach hearings, because most people never come into a physical courthouse, and a new use is sought for the vacant building.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests Ester Karuse to perform.
Ester Karuse
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ester Karuse noted that in the processing of many bills, the principles of good legislation were not followed, and there was a lack of early involvement of stakeholders, which has reduced the public's trust in the government, and she asked how to remedy this shortcoming in order to restore public trust in the state.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasized adherence to the fundamental principles of criminal policy and that deprivation of liberty must be truly necessary; all aspects of criminal proceedings and the protection of the parties, as well as the subparagraphs of the paragraphs, must be seriously involved in the Riigikogu's decision-making processes; she praised the thorough feedback received in preparing the draft bill to accelerate the work of the previous ministers, and noted that the number of detainees in Estonia has improved (122 per 100,000 inhabitants compared with Finland's 52 per 100,000 inhabitants); there is room for development, but the overall answer to the specific question will come at the next briefing; finally, she stressed that deprivation of a person's freedom requires thorough engagement and attention.
Madis Kallas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Kallas stressed that the justice and digital portfolio, brought together under a single minister, makes procedures faster, and from a regional-political perspective he sees its potential for expanding remote service delivery and remote proceedings, and he asked what his view on this development is, citing the work of a notary in Southern Estonia, in Tallinn and in Saaremaa.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairperson invited Madis Kallas to come forward.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Regarding court reform, Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that the aim is not only reductions, but also overall greater efficiency and flexibility within a single level of the court, and for consumer credit disputes in Southeastern Estonia there is a possibility to speed up or automate proceedings by around 30 percent through the use of anonymised data and artificial intelligence, but the final decision is still made by a human.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Riina Solman to take the floor.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman asks whether criminal policy is related to regional policy and whether, in the case of the closure of the Jõhvi courthouse, regional impact has been taken into account and a regional policy analysis has been carried out.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that in economic hardship we try to spare people and keep as many jobs as possible, while reducing the total floor space of buildings, because court services are for the people and a large part of the proceedings takes place in writing or via video hearings, planning greater specialization within the court levels and the handling of consumer credit cases across Estonia, preserving the Narva courthouse and a smaller footprint for Jõhvi, but the court must still process all matters brought to it, therefore the cuts are exceptionally difficult.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The only message in the speech was to invite Arvo Aller onto the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller stresses that the regional presence of courthouses provides people with a sense of security and is important from a security-policy perspective, criticizes the failure to adhere to the principle of regionalism and the centralization around Tallinn, where the court decision would be made by video judges with AI preprocessing and no judges would be needed, and asks what regional-policy solution exists and whether consent for closing the courthouse has also been given by the Minister of Regional Policy and the Minister of Agriculture.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The briefing emphasizes that the main objective is to reduce recourse to the court and to resolve matters as much as possible outside the court, using digital and written procedures, because the service must reach people, not buildings, especially in regional contexts.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Annely Akkermann.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presenter raised the Financial Supervisory Authority's intention to expand its activities by one financial ombudsman post, in order to resolve disputes between financial institutions and their clients before they reach the courts, and asked whether this topic has also been brought up for discussion and what he thinks about it.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
According to the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the aim is to reduce the number of court hearings and widen out-of-court proceedings, considering resolving consumer-protection and alimony disputes and other matters outside the court, while thanking VAKO employees and those who have found suitable solutions in public procurements or rental-dispute commissions, and noting that although their decisions can be appealed to the court, they often remain in force, and the collected evidence shows that out-of-court proceedings are very successful.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar invited Rain Epler onto the stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asked the minister whether, in the context of presenting Pakosta's candidate for the position of Attorney General to EKRE and in relation to the boldly outspoken rhetoric directed at one parliamentary party, this is justified, and what impact such rhetoric has on the government and on your credibility and on the general trust in institutions.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Pakosta said that personal attacks against prosecutors' staff are completely inappropriate, emphasized the importance of the rule of law and the work of judges and prosecutors, and noted that disagreements about them are part of the political debate.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman invites Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasized that in a democratic process one must also take into account critical views about the courts and the prosecutor's office, and candidates for high positions should answer these questions, because he has himself experienced the bias of the courts, and the claim that questions must not be asked does not sit well.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
They stated that the right to question the chief prosecutor candidate is provided by law, and all parties have the right and the opportunity to question the candidate and discuss it in the Riigikogu's Legal Affairs Committee and in the plenary session, emphasizing that criticism must be constructive and must not become a personal attack, and they pledged to protect prosecutors and judges from personal attacks in order to ensure the functioning of the justice system.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair asks Anti Poolamets to speak.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets raises the question of where criticism ends and a personal attack begins, and notes that criticism directed at the prosecutor tends to turn into hate speech, which suppresses the free exchange of ideas.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
They invited all parties, and not only parties, to speak critically and raise important issues, when something can be done better or done differently, and they stressed that threatening judges with beheading is a personal attack.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announced that only one question would be allowed, thanked the minister, and said that there were no more questions, and declared the negotiations open, and, on behalf of the Isamaa faction, requested that Jaanus Karilaidi be given the floor.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid accuses the Minister of Justice of hypocrisy, because the 4.4-million-euro cut from the judiciary is taking place at the same time as he pledges to defend the judiciary, and he stresses that the system needs additional resources and effective reforms, not demagoguery and contradictory rhetoric.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asked for three more minutes of extra time.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid says that the real impact of crime is reflected in social indicators, and criminal policy must go hand in hand with economic policy, whose aim is to raise people's incomes and grow the economy, because the downturn from 2012 to 2022 did indeed occur as a result of these policies.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks you wholeheartedly and, on behalf of the Reformierakond faction, invites Anti Haugast to speak.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas emphasizes that Estonia's crime policy for 2030 will focus on prevention and people-centered solutions, to reduce addiction and recidivism, to offer treatment programs, and to integrate health, social, and justice systems, and the main metric will be that 70% of people feel safe on their home street, and only 1% consider crime the state's main problem, but work must also be done to ensure that 30% of the population feel safe as well.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation emphasizes that the state budget must be put in order with unpopular cuts, and although positive trends are visible, the balance between law and justice, the release of prisoners and international criminals, and the issue of juvenile crime are concerns that require thorough, holistic solutions that involve mental health and socio-economic factors.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech begins with many thanks, and on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, Andre Hanimägi asks for the floor.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker is ready to receive as many as three.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi emphasized that in order to reduce juvenile crime, additional funding is needed not only for the court system and prisons, but also for doctors, social workers, and the promotion of mental health, and, if necessary, by means of legislative changes, to send a clear message that violence is not acceptable in society.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and asks that Kert Kingo speak on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that the Minister of Justice is violating the principles of the rule of law by spreading hatred and personally criticizing the opposition party, and emphasizes that in order to solve real problems one must listen to judges, develop judicial reform, and improve people's security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanked and gave the floor to Igor Taro on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro said that Eesti 200's aim is to make the state more valuable for people and less burdensome on their wallets, focusing on five priorities – education, security, state reform, green economy, and culture – and to promote preventive policies in crime policy by investing in education, national defense, and the fight against corruption, in order to create a safe, fair, and informed society, while discussing cybercrime, the risks of AI impersonations, and fundamental rights issues, and the need to strengthen the state.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked you, asked about the minister's participation in the negotiations, and gave the floor.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Justice and Digital Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta confirmed that court reform has been launched, and its aim is to simplify procedures, increase the independence and flexibility of the courts, and make the courts a constitutional institution in accordance with Chapter XIII of the Constitution, and she stressed that people's concerns are important and help is available.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you very much; we have finished the consideration of the third agenda item.