The President of the Republic refused to proclaim the Bar Association Act, passed in the Riigikogu on February 14.

In his resolution, President Meri emphasised that the Republic of Estonia has not guaranteed effective protection of the principle of the rule of law provided in Section 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, although in accordance with Section 14 of the Constitution, the guarantee of rights and freedoms is the duty of the legislative, executive and judicial powers, and of local governments. Competent and reliable legal aid is not available to a major part of the poorer population. An individual cannot defend his or her rights if he or she is unable to assess how his or her rights are violated and what are the means to defend his or her freedoms and rights.

As President Meri said, those are the problems to which the legislator ought to find solutions, and only then could the legal status of the bar association be regulated.

The President of the Republic made his resolution in accordance with Section 107 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 14, 2001

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