Resource information
The Act creates the legal framework for the assignment of land to private citizens, for the protection of rights of land users and landowners, and for the use and protection of farmland and other natural resources.The 27 paragraphs of the Act are divided into 4 Parts: Overall Rules (1); Submitting requests for land allotments and their examination (2); Land use tasks (3); Overall regulations on the renewal of landownership rights or delivering land into the possesion of citizens (4). Land reform includes all rural land in the Republic and its users (par. 3). Paragraph 3 also establishes the right of citizens of the Republic to "freely select and realize for their interest and abilities corresponding rights to land, land use and forms of economic organization through proper legal procedure". Land reform shall be carried out in two phases: in the first phase, to end the 1 November 1996, former landowners or their heirs, all current land users and those who request new use of land, shall make requests for land allotment for use in rural areas. A real estate assessment shall be prepared for each district. In the second phase, starting 1 January 1993, land allocation shall take place in accordance with provisions of paragraph 4. Land reform shall be coordinated by the Land Committee of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia and land committees of regions, districts, as well as municipalities which administer rural lands (par. 6).
