The Latvian SSR Committee for State Security (KGB) files will now be freely accessible for research at the Latvian State Archive, with some parts of the files made available on its website, according to the amended Law adopted by the Saeima on Thursday, 4 October, in the final reading.

According to the amendments to the Law, the Latvian State Archive will start releasing KGB files through its website this year. This will enable access to information about the impact of the totalitarian regime established after the Soviet occupation, help mitigate its consequences, prosecute crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and prevent a possible revival of totalitarianism. Opening the archives will strengthen the democracy of Latvia and its society. The Cabinet of Ministers will develop authorisation procedures for accessing the files posted by the Latvian State Archive on its website.

The files to be released this year include phonebooks of KGB personnel, lists of outside collaborators, statistical files and alphabetic records. In time, other KGB-related files will also be made public.

According to the amendments, the released files will include full personal data, such as the ethnicity, political affiliation, trade union membership and religious beliefs of KGB personnel, informers and otherwise affiliated individuals.

According to the authors of the amendments, the KGB files constitute a part of the national documentary heritage to be maintained indefinitely as an indivisible set of documents and to be made publicly available from the Latvian State Archive for research purposes.

The rules of storing and using the KGB files stipulate that the Latvian State Archive will ensure unlimited access to the files that do not contain data on victims and any third persons, i.e. persons who are not KGB personnel, informers or otherwise affiliated officials.

Furthermore, the released files on KGB personnel, informers and affiliated officials will be supplemented by scientific commentaries and explanations by the Latvian State Archive on whether the mentioned person has been convicted or acquitted, as well as whether the person has been charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes or treason.

The KGB files and indirectly linked files containing data on victims or any third persons will be restricted to scientific, historical and legal research, academic, artistic, literary and journalistic purposes.

The amendments also stipulate that a person requesting files from the Latvian State Archive is responsible for appropriate use of the data contained in the files, including personal data.

Saeima Press Service