Andres Herkel
Encyclopedia
Andres Herkel is an Estonian politician and intellectual. He started his public activities in the late 1980s. From the very beginning of the independence movement in Estonia
, he affiliated himself with pro-independence forces, which had close ties with Soviet-era dissidents. He played an active role in building up free media in then occupied Estonia
, being among the founders of the Independent Info Centre in 1988.
, Estonia
, where he obtained a first degree in psychology (cum laude, 1985) and an M.A. degree in history (1998, thesis on ancient Indian philosophy). He was greatly inspired by his then professor, well-known Estonian orientalist Linnart Mäll
(1938-2010), whose work in the Unrepresented Peoples and Nations Organization (UNPO) he followed with keen interest.
(Estonian Parliament).
In 1994, Herkel joined the conservative Pro Patria party (now known as the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
- IRL). In 1999 he was for the first time elected to Riigikogu
. In 2004 - 2007 he was Chairperson of the Pro Patria faction in Riigikogu. He currently serves his fourth term in parliament, having been re-elected in the recent elections in March 2011.
In national politics, Herkel is he well known for his commitment to conservative values and for his conciliatory approach. He was the driving force behind the adoption of the statement on crimes of communism (link) in the Estonian Parliament (2002), which was approved by an impressive consensus.
Throughout his political career, Herkel has also focused on international affairs. Since 2003 he has been member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE), where he has held significant positions: Head of the Estonian delegation since 2007, Vice-President of the PACE (2009-2011), rapporteur on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan (2004-2010) and the situation in Belarus (since 2011). In Azerbaijan
his stern stance with the authorities won him much respect among human rights defenders and civil society activists. He has participated in various PACE election observation missions in Azerbaijan
, Ukraine
, Georgia
and Moldova
. He is also committed to pursuing the cause of human rights in Northern Caucasus, Cuba
and Tibet
. His articles on foreign policy are regularly published in Estonian press.
In his campaign for the March 2011 parliamentary elections in Estonia, Herkel used small pepper-bags called „Herkel’s pepper-mix“ with an aim of averting his electorate that too sweet campaign promises are counterproductive and unrealistic. He warned against repeating the same fiscal mistakes that had been made before the 2008-2010 economic crises in Estonia.
Herkel is a long-standing member of the Estonian Broadcasting Council (1994-2000 and 2007-2011) and Vice-President of Estonian Academic Oriental Society (2000-2011).
, 2008) and „Azerbaijani letters” (Aserbaidžaani kirjad, 2010). The latter is being translated into English.
Herkel has also published poetry and is an award-winning essay-writer in Estonia (prizes by the main Estonian literary journal Looming (1993) and cultural weekly Sirp (1998).
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, he affiliated himself with pro-independence forces, which had close ties with Soviet-era dissidents. He played an active role in building up free media in then occupied Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, being among the founders of the Independent Info Centre in 1988.
Education and training
His alma mater is the University of TartuUniversity of Tartu
The University of Tartu is a classical university in the city of Tartu, Estonia. University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia; it is the biggest and highest-ranked university in Estonia...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, where he obtained a first degree in psychology (cum laude, 1985) and an M.A. degree in history (1998, thesis on ancient Indian philosophy). He was greatly inspired by his then professor, well-known Estonian orientalist Linnart Mäll
Linnart Mäll
Linnart Mäll was an Estonian historian, orientalist, translator and politician.- Biography :Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Mäll graduated from the University of Tartu in 1962 with a major in general history...
(1938-2010), whose work in the Unrepresented Peoples and Nations Organization (UNPO) he followed with keen interest.
Professional career
Andres Herkel began his professional career as researcher in the Estonian Institute of Pedagogical Research (1985-1989), followed by posts of editor of the literary journal Vikerkaar (1990-1991), editor-in-chief of Eesti Elu/Kultuur ja Elu (Estonian Life/Culture and Life) journal (1991-1992) and lecturer in the Estonian Institute of Humanities. In 1993-1999 he worked as Media Adviser in the Pro Patria faction of the RiigikoguRiigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
(Estonian Parliament).
In 1994, Herkel joined the conservative Pro Patria party (now known as the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica is an Estonian Liberal Conservative political party. It was founded on 4 June 2006 when two conservative parties, Pro Patria Union and Res Publica merged. Up to the 2007 parliamentary elections, the party held 32 seats out of 101 in the Riigikogu and one of...
- IRL). In 1999 he was for the first time elected to Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
. In 2004 - 2007 he was Chairperson of the Pro Patria faction in Riigikogu. He currently serves his fourth term in parliament, having been re-elected in the recent elections in March 2011.
In national politics, Herkel is he well known for his commitment to conservative values and for his conciliatory approach. He was the driving force behind the adoption of the statement on crimes of communism (link) in the Estonian Parliament (2002), which was approved by an impressive consensus.
Throughout his political career, Herkel has also focused on international affairs. Since 2003 he has been member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , which held its first session in Strasbourg on 10 August 1949, can be considered the oldest international parliamentary assembly with a pluralistic composition of democratically elected members of parliament established on the basis of an...
(PACE), where he has held significant positions: Head of the Estonian delegation since 2007, Vice-President of the PACE (2009-2011), rapporteur on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan (2004-2010) and the situation in Belarus (since 2011). In Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
his stern stance with the authorities won him much respect among human rights defenders and civil society activists. He has participated in various PACE election observation missions in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
and Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
. He is also committed to pursuing the cause of human rights in Northern Caucasus, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. His articles on foreign policy are regularly published in Estonian press.
In his campaign for the March 2011 parliamentary elections in Estonia, Herkel used small pepper-bags called „Herkel’s pepper-mix“ with an aim of averting his electorate that too sweet campaign promises are counterproductive and unrealistic. He warned against repeating the same fiscal mistakes that had been made before the 2008-2010 economic crises in Estonia.
Herkel is a long-standing member of the Estonian Broadcasting Council (1994-2000 and 2007-2011) and Vice-President of Estonian Academic Oriental Society (2000-2011).
Publications
Andres Herkel has published several books in Estonian, including „The Russian Puzzle“ (Vene mõistatus, 2007) „Cuba in my Heart“ (Kuuba südames, together with former PM Mart LaarMart Laar
Mart Laar is an Estonian statesman, historian and a founding member of the Foundation for the Investigation of Communist Crimes. He was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002, and is the leader of the conservative party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica...
, 2008) and „Azerbaijani letters” (Aserbaidžaani kirjad, 2010). The latter is being translated into English.
Herkel has also published poetry and is an award-winning essay-writer in Estonia (prizes by the main Estonian literary journal Looming (1993) and cultural weekly Sirp (1998).