The Riigikogu passed two Acts:

The Riigikogu passed with 66 votes in favour (6 against) the War Graves Protection Act (1001 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Social Democratic Party Faction, Res Publica Faction and Isamaaliit Faction. The preamble of the Act states: “Respecting and recognizing Estonia’s obligation to ensure the honouring and dignified handling of the remains of the persons killed in the military action on the Estonian territory; noting that the burying of persons killed in the the military action in unsuitable places is not in line with European culture and the tradition remembering the deceased and honouring their remains; Considering Article 34 of the Protocol Additional of 8 June 1977 (I) to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 On the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, pursuant to which the state of Estonia is obliged to ensure the honouring of the remains of the deceased died in the military actions on the territory of Estonia and respecting and marking of their gravesites, and pursuant to which the state of Estonia is justified to carry out the reburying of the remains proceeding from public interests, the Riigikogu has passed the present Act.”

The Act determines the legal protection of war graves located in Estonia, public access to war graves and the procedure for marking the war graves, also the bases and procedure for the reburying of the remains from the war graves located in Estonia to graveyards, for the purpose of protection stipulated by the Act. The present Act will be applied to the remains of Estonian soldiers fallen in the Estonian War of Independence and the war graves and the remains and war graves of the persons who have fallen for the independence of Estonia in armed fights, including the armed dissident movement (guerrilla resistance). As regards the remains and war graves of the persons belonged to the military forces of other states and citizens of other states, the present Act will be applied where foreign agreements do not stipulate otherwise.

The Riigikogu passed with 74 votes in favour the Weapons Act, Postal Act and Strategic Goods Act Amendment Act (967 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act specifies among many amendments the rules related to the medical examination, designed to avoid that weapons could not fall into the hands of persons with mental and conduct disorders.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of three Bills:

The Public Procurements Bill (816 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Feedingstuffs Bill (1038 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Victim Support Act (939 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of three Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Act on the Ratification of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1020 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Rescue Service Bill (1057 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to Social Benefits for Disabled Persons Act (1059 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, Estonian People’s Union Faction and Estonian Reform Party Faction.

At Question Time Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions about the Government’s health policy and financing the health care, the adoption of Euro, the enforcement of political decisions and the National Broadcasting. Minister of the Environment Rein Randver answered the questions about the land reform. Minister of finance Aivar Sõerd also answered the question about the financing of the health care.

The Riigikogu Press Service