Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
2024-01-11
Political Position
The political position is strongly focused on addressing a specific legal gap concerning the registration of children born outside medical facilities. This stance is rooted in policy and values, underscoring the necessity of protecting the human dignity of parents and prioritizing the child's interests over bureaucratic obstacles. The speaker stresses that this is a genuine, cross-party societal problem requiring urgent resolution.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a thorough awareness of the bill's proceedings, citing specific rulings of the Tallinn Administrative Court and protocols of the Legal Affairs Committee. Although he admits he is not a lawyer, he effectively uses legal concepts to support his arguments, such as Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as procedural details (DNA testing, delays in family benefits). He has consulted with several practicing lawyers and ministry officials.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, serious, and argumentative, balancing logical appeals (references to the explanatory memorandum, court decisions, and ministry positions) with emotional appeal (describing the parents' "gauntlet" and the violation of human dignity). The speaker uses numerous quotes and references to official documents to establish credibility, and concludes with a call for a statesmanlike approach.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker’s mode of operation involves active communication with ministry officials, practicing lawyers, and the chairman of the patients’ council, in order to gather background information and opinions on the subject. He/She has familiarized himself/herself with the position of the Government of the Republic and the minutes of the Legal Affairs Committee.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opposition is directed at the stance taken by the Government of the Republic and the Ministry of Social Affairs, which do not support the draft bill, citing the wrong legislation and a speculative risk of human trafficking. The criticism is policy-based, highlighting the government's inability to solve a problem whose existence the ministries themselves admit. Nevertheless, the speaker's tone remains respectful, offering the ministries the chance to draft a better bill themselves.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker strongly emphasizes the necessity for cross-party and inter-ministerial cooperation to find a common solution acceptable to all sides. He commends the bill's initiator (Varro Vooglaid) for his statesmanlike approach and is prepared to seek allies from other political parties should the cooperation between the three ministries (the Ministries of Justice, Social Affairs, and the Interior) fail to produce results.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is limited, but it does include a mention of Malle Vahtra, the chairperson of the Viljandi Hospital Patients' Council, who confirmed the existence of the problem in Viljandi County. This demonstrates a certain level of attention being paid to local concerns and their resolution.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspective focuses on reducing bureaucratic costs for families who currently have to cover the expenses of DNA testing and legal proceedings. It is noted that the proposed draft bill will not result in significant additional expenditures for the state or local governments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social topic is the procedure for registering a child following unassisted home births and the protection of parental rights. The speaker emphasizes respecting families' choices and prioritizing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, opposing the current system which infringes upon the human dignity of parents.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft law initiated by Varro Vooglaid, which concerns amending the Vital Statistics Registration Act to close a legal loophole. The speaker is acting in the role of a supporter, demanding either the further processing of the initiated bill or the urgent submission of a new, solution-providing bill by the three ministries. He proposes two specific solutions for moving forward with the draft law.
2 Speeches Analyzed