Latvia: Information on whether a Russian born of a Latvian mother who lived outside Latvia all his life, and in 1991 was denied residence in Latvia based on Decree 266, would still have a claim to Latvian citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LVA14729 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Latvia: Information on whether a Russian born of a Latvian mother who lived outside Latvia all his life, and in 1991 was denied residence in Latvia based on Decree 266, would still have a claim to Latvian citizenship, 1 August 1993, LVA14729, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab1a6c.html [accessed 29 May 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. |
According to the Consul of Latvia in Washington, DC, Latvia has not yet passed a law on citizenship, but is expected to do so by the end of 1993 (6 Aug. 1993). It is hoped that all residence and citizenship cases that are not clear at present will be resolved with the new legislation (Ibid.). In the meantime, any person who has at least one parent who had Latvian citizenship before Latvia lost its independence in 1940, under the previous legislation is entitled to Latvian citizenship (Ibid.). The consul stated that under this principle more than 9,000 U.S. citizens have already obtained Latvian citizenship and passports, and that the same practice is being carried out in Canada (Ibid.). Latvia acknowledges dual citizenship, or as it is referred to in some cases, multiple nationality. However, the consul differentiated between the terms "citizenship" and "nationality," stating that Latvian citizenship, until 1940 and at present, is held or granted regardless of a person's nationality or ethnicity, adding that the Latvian state grants and acknowledges citizenship, not nationality (Ibid.).
According to a staff member of the Consulate General of Latvia in Ottawa, a person whose mother or father had Latvian citizenship before 1940, is entitled to and often automatically granted Latvian citizenship (6 Aug. 1993). A person whose grandfather or grandmother had Latvian citizenship before 1940 could also obtain Latvian citizenship, although an application for Latvian citizenship may be processed faster if one of the applicant's parents has also requested and obtained Latvian citizenship based on his or her parent's Latvian citizenship (Ibid.).
Both sources were unaware of the exact content of Decree 266. They stated that 1991 was a "volatile" period and suggested that for an accurate explanation of the decree and the implications of any decision based on it, a written request could be researched and if necessary submitted to authorities in Latvia for an answer.
Additional and/or corroborating information could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.
References
Embassy of Latvia, Washington, DC. 6 August 1993. Telephone Interview with Consul.
Consulate General of Latvia, Ottawa. 6 August 1993. Telephone Interview with Staff Member.
