Latvia: Information relating to the ethnic background of the militia/police and whether there were any changes since Latvia became independent
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LVA12469 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Latvia: Information relating to the ethnic background of the militia/police and whether there were any changes since Latvia became independent, 1 December 1992, LVA12469, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aad424.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Published information on this specific subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB.
A professor with the Research Centre for Canada and Soviet Successor States at Carleton University stated in a telephone interview with the DIRB on 20 December 1992 that the situation in Latvia has changed tremendously, and the militia has been officially transformed into the police. The professor noted that the majority of militia were ethnic Russians; however, the majority of the current police force is represented by ethnic Latvians (Ibid.).
According to a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the ethnic background of the police in Latvia changed because of the language requirements (21 Dec. 1992). Currently there are some "oldtimers" (meaning Russians) in the police; however, they are a minority (Ibid.). The correspondent corroborated the information that the militia was primarily composed of Russians (Ibid.).
Additional information on this subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB.
References
The Research Centre for Canada and Soviet Successor States at Carleton University, Ottawa. 20 December 1992. Telephone Interview with Professor.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), New York. 21 December 1992. Telephone Interview with Correspondent.
