A case on keeping of religious objects by prisoners has been initiated
The First Panel of the Constitutional Court has initiated a case “On Compliance of the First Appendix of 30 May 2006 Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 423 “Regulations of Internal Procedure in Imprisonment Establishments” insofar as It Regulates Keeping of Religious Objects with Article 99 of the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia.”
Article 99 of the Satversme provides among the rest things that everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The contested norm regulates objects and foodstuffs that a prisoner has the right to keep. Religious objects, like, prayer beads, crosses, icons are not included into the above mentioned list of objects; therefore keeping of them is prohibited.
The applicant Nauris Rakuzovs holds that the contested norm infringes his freedom to religion. By failing to use religious objects, he is not able to fully dedicate himself to a religious ritual.
The Cabinet of Ministers was asked to provide, before 1 September 2010, a reply on factual circumstances of the case and legal justification thereof. The term of preparation of the case is 1 December 2010.
Linked case: 2010-50-03