Tunne Kelam

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Tunne Kelam (born 10 July 1936 in Taheva, Estonia) is an Estonian politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Pro Patria Union (Estonia), part of the European People's Party.

After graduating from Tallinn 2. Secondary School in 1954 he went on to study history in University of Tartu. After graduation from university he was a senior researcher in the State Central Archives of Estonia from 1959 to 1965 and a lecturer on international relations in Society "Science" from 1959 to 1970. From 1965 to 1975 he was a senior editor of Estonian Soviet Encyclopaedia, but had to quit the job because of his anti-Soviet views. He was then employed by the National Library of Estonia as a senior librarian, but was not allowed to continue on his profession after 1979. From there on he held many menial jobs, including the position of a caretaker in a chicken farm.

By the end of 1980s he had become one of the leading dissidents in Estonian society. He was a founding member of the Estonian National Independence Party (ERSP, Eesti Rahvusliku Sõltumatuse Partei) in 1988 and a member of Estonian Citizens Head Committee, people movement supporting the sovereignty of Estonia, from 1989 to 1990. From 1990 to 1992 he was the Chairman of the Estonian Committee, an executive body of the Congress of Estonia, legislative assembly competing with the Supreme Soviet for political power in Estonian SSR. After a new parliament, Riigikogu was established and elected in summer 1992 he became a member of parliament. He held this position till 2004 when he was elected to the European Parliament. He served as a Vice Speaker of Riigikogu from 1992 till 2003.

Tunne Kelam was also the last Chairman of the Estonian National Independence Party (1993-1995) and lead his party into merger with the National Alliance "Pro Patria" which resulted in creation of the Pro Patria Union (Estonia). From 2002 to 2005 he was the Chairman of the Pro Patria Union. He stepped down a couple of months after being elected to the European Parliament. He is the only representative of his party in that assembly.

He is also a member of a number of non-governmental organisations, including Institute of Human Rights (board member since 1997), Kristler-Ritso Foundation (board member since 1998 and Estonian European Movement (vice chairman since 1998).

Tunne Kelam is an honorary citizen of the State of Maryland (USA) since 1991. He has been decorated with many prominent awards including the Estonian Order of the Coat of Arms, 2nd class (2001) and the French Grand Officier de l’Ordre National du Merite (2001).

He is married to Mari-Ann Kelam, a librarian and a politician. He has a daughter from a previous marriage.

Tunne Kelam has also written two books.