Freedom of Belief and Security

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing

Date: 2025-02-12 14:48

Total Speeches: 19

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 16m

AI Summaries: 19/19 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

The fourth question addressed religious freedom and security and was linked to bill 570, which the government brought to parliament and regarding which a brief discussion took place in the legal affairs committee. The bill concerns the canonical relations between the Pühtitsa Monastery and the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and aims to eliminate decisions made on the basis of external influence if they may threaten Estonia's security or democratic order. It's important to emphasize the principle of the rule of law, according to which state power is exercised in accordance with the constitution and laws. The need to clarify how to reduce dependencies on the Kremlin was central to the discussion and raised the question of how far one must go to guarantee the country's security and independence in making important decisions.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

On this occasion, no formal decisions were made. The meeting's content emphasized discussion and introductory remarks, and the next steps remain open; the decision will be addressed in further discussions.

Most Active Speaker
Mart Helme
Mart Helme

Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon

The most active speaker was Bav3E8LSHIE, a member of EKRE, located on the right-wing political spectrum. He presented several longer and emotional responses, employing critical rhetoric, and emphasized the protection of religious freedom and the Estonian constitution, alongside objections to government measures, symbolizing a vigorous parliamentary commentary that kept in mind a clear opposition and the inevitable adherence to democratic control measures.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
14:48:21
AI Summary

The fourth question, posed by Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid to Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets, concerns religious freedom and security.

Varro Vooglaid
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
14:48:29
AI Summary

Varro Vooglaid criticized Draft Law 570, which seeks to use a pretext of a future security threat to implement compulsory dissolution regarding the Pühtitsa Monastery and the Estonian Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, and he stressed that upholding the rule of law and the principles of the constitution is paramount, and he asked the government for an explanation of how such a measure is justified without a real threat.

Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
14:50:36
AI Summary

Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the government does not plan to shut down any church, but the aim is to end Kremlin-linked influences and ties and to ensure the independence of Estonian churches, because their subordination to the Kremlin threatens national security.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
14:53:49
AI Summary

The speech invites the audience, saying that now is their time.

Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
14:53:51
AI Summary

We have no reason to think that it isn't being done.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
14:53:53
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar said that the discussion may continue, because Varro Vooglaid has a clarifying question.

Varro Vooglaid
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
14:53:58
AI Summary

Varro Vooglaid stated that in Estonia threats should be shown only with concrete facts that have occurred in Estonia, and not punish or close organizations without clear evidence, but to follow the principles of the rule of law and to enable him, as a member of the Riigikogu, to review the evidence.

Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
14:56:04
AI Summary

The government does not intend to punish or shut down the church, but wishes to end the subordination relationships between Estonia and the Moscow Patriarchate, because Russia's policy threatens Estonia's security. Churches will remain open and religious freedom is protected, and ending the subordination relationship is not a punishment.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
14:59:12
AI Summary

The chair thanks and gives his colleague Martin Helme the opportunity to ask an additional question.

Martin Helme
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
14:59:15
AI Summary

Martin Helme accuses the far left of violating freedom of religion and the constitution, and promises that if they take away the freedom of religion, ordinary people will come and restore Estonia's normal democracy, and we will make Estonia normal again.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:01:30
AI Summary

The chair thanks and presents a petition to the minister.

Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
15:01:31
AI Summary

Interior Minister Läänemets emphasizes that the draft is not a plan to close churches, but a matter of ensuring freedom of religion and security, highlights the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate and the residence-permit dispute, and recommends changing the church's charter so that Kirill would not be the church's highest authority, while at the same time stressing that Orthodoxy exists in Estonia and that churches will remain open and congregations will continue to function.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:04:37
AI Summary

The chairman, Lauri Hussar, thanked and concluded the consideration of the fourth question, and before moving on to the fifth question, his colleague Mart Helme raised his hand and asked about the procedure for conducting the meeting.

Mart Helme
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:04:47
AI Summary

Mart Helme expresses deep dismay and protest against a chain of lies and distortions that Lauri Läänemets has just presented to us here, in connection with the Social Democrats.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:05:03
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar emphasizes that this question does not concern the procedure for conducting the session, and he does not permit it to be expressed.

Mart Helme
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:05:07
AI Summary

Mart Helme claims that during Toomas Hendrik Ilves's leadership the churches were brought under the Moscow Patriarchate's jurisdiction, and you yourself have created this situation because of your lies.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:05:12
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he cannot currently let Mart Helme express that.

Mart Helme
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioon
15:05:15
AI Summary

They protested against the lie that was presented to us here just now.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:05:19
AI Summary

The chairperson said that this is a very clear counter-argument, not a procedural question, and it cannot be regarded as such.