Latvian Central Council, Latvian Central Committee

During the meetings held in the summer 1945 the authorised representatives of the Latvian National Committee in Bavaria and the Latvian National Committee (Lübeck) together with representatives of other refugee organisations agreed to establish a new non-political centre for unifying of refugees – the Latvian Central Committee (LCC).

At its first meeting on 7 September 1945 the LCC agreed to take care of that a democratically elected Central Council of Latvians (CCL) was convened within the nearest future that would represent all Latvia refugees in Germany and would elect a permanent LCC during its first session. Direct elections were impossible to hold due to technical difficulties and the attitude of American and British occupation authorities, therefore CCL members and seven district committee members were elected at an indirect election (elector meetings) with assistance of or representatives delegated by the electorate (electors).

The first election was held in the autumn of 1945 and the first CCL session was held on 18-21 November 1945 in Detmold. In that session the CCL presidium was elected and the former LCC presidium was approved the executive body of CCL. The second staff of CCL started to work in February 1947, the third staff – in March 1948 and the fourth staff for the term of two years – on 1 January 1949.

The CCL performed the central Latvian refugee representation functions in Germany and later in Austria and Denmark. The Allies occupation authorities did not de iure recognise the central refugee organisations, including LCC and CCL, though let them act on the condition that these organisations would not perform political activities and conduct business.

On 20 June 1949, the Charter of the Association “Community of the Latvian People in Exile” that comprised all Latvians in exile in Germany was registered in Nürnberg Registry Court. Further on the CCL performed the functions of the central representative office of the Association while the LCC operated as the executive body.

The LCC provided for the refugee surveying and care, releasing of the interned former Latvian soldiers from captives camps and granting of the status of the displaced person to them. Especially extensive work of providing care for educational institutions was carried out by the LCC Education and Culture Division. The achievements of the LCC and CCL by encouraging culture life in refugee camps were also important.

 

Latviešu Centrālās komitejas Ārējās informācijas fonda apkārtraksts.
LVA, 1971. f., 1. apr., 7. l., 15. lp.
Latviešu tautas kopības trimdā dalībnieka karte. 1949. gads.
LVA, 2250. f., 2v. apr., 6. l., 28. lp.
Latviešu Centrālās Komitejas budžets. 1949. gads.
LVA, 1971. f., 1. apr., 2. l., 21. lp.
LCK pārstāvja Bavārijā vēstule. 1950. gada 6. septembris.
LVA, 2335. f., 1. apr., 81. l., 61. lp.