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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Thursday, 28.03.2024, 22:28

EU human rights activists supported Vilkaste’s family in Warsaw

Olga Pavuk, editor-in-chief of baltic-course.com, Riga/Warsaw, 23.09.2014.Print version
Human rights activists from different countries met in Warsaw last week to express support to Latvian entrepreneur Inara Vilkaste, wife of former director of Customs Criminal Board Vladimir Vashkevich, whose family is being harassed in their home country.

Inara Vilkaste and Walter Schwimmer giving autographs during the presentation of book „Fundamental human rights as the basis of Europe of values”. BC's photo.

I.Vilkaste believes she is being threatened by corrupt representatives of state authorities, the war is waged against her and her family. From 2006 some 50 criminal and 100 civil proceedings were initiated, 125 summons to law-enforcement structures were served, 220 complaints, 306 court hearings. Surveillance, threats, theft of property of I.Vilkaste’s family members continue to this day.

 

A Committee „Justice for Inara” was created in Europe, one of representatives of the committee is Walter Schwimmer, former member of Austrian Parliament and former Secretary General of Council of Europe.

 

Presentation of book „Fundamental human rights as the basis of Europe of values”, where a collection of materials from a conference which took place in Poland’s capital city in May were published, thanks to Austrian, French and Polish human rights activists, became one of the main events in Warsaw. The book, under editorial by W.Schwimmer was published in Polish language; its Latvian and Russian versions are under preparation.

 

The „Personality of the year of Poland” national award ceremony of persons of various professions also took place in Warsaw within the framework of human rights events. Among the laureates was I.Vilkaste, she was awarded with „Victory of human rights 2014” prize.

 

In response to the question why Poland became the place of holding events aimed to protect I.Vilkaste’s family, she said: „Warsaw became the first place where help was offered to me, and I must show other people that their rights could also be protected. Now I’m surrounded by people, who understand me, and this is very important.”

 

Translation made by Inara Vilkaste’s press service.






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