Human rights in Latvia
This section needs to be updated.(April 2020) |
Human rights in Latvia are generally respected by the government, according to the US Department of State and Freedom House.
However,
In March 2020, Latvia derogated from some of its obligations under ECHR[10] and ICCPR,[11] having referred to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Latvia in the international human rights system
As of end-2019, European Court of Human Rights has delivered 144 judgments in cases against Latvia (beginning from 2001); in 115 cases, it has found violations of the European Convention on Human Rights or its protocols.[12]
UN
Participation in basic human rights treaties
UN core treaties[16] | Participation of Latvia | CoE core treaties[17] | Participation of Latvia |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
|
Accession in 1992, declaration allowing individual complaints isn't made | European Convention on Human Rights | Ratified in 1997 |
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights | Accession in 1992 | Protocol 1 (ECHR) | Ratified in 1997 |
First Optional Protocol (ICCPR) | Accession in 1994 | Protocol 4 (ECHR) | Ratified in 1997 |
Second Optional Protocol (ICCPR) | Accession in 2013 | Protocol 6 (ECHR) | Ratified in 1999 |
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | Accession in 1992 | Protocol 7 (ECHR) | Ratified in 1997 |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women | Accession in 1992 | Protocol 12 (ECHR) | Signed in 2000 |
Optional Protocol (CEDAW)
|
Not signed | Protocol 13 (ECHR) | Ratified in 2012 |
United Nations Convention Against Torture | Accession in 1992, declaration allowing individual complaints isn't made | European Social Charter | Ratified in 2002 |
Optional Protocol (CAT)
|
Not signed | Additional Protocol of 1988 (ESC) | Signed in 1997 |
Convention on the Rights of the Child | Accession in 1992 | Additional Protocol of 1995 (ESC) | Not signed |
Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC) | Ratified in 2005 | Revised European Social Charter | Ratified in 2013 |
Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (CRC) | Ratified in 2006 | European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment | Ratified in 1998 |
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
|
Not signed | European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages | Not signed |
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | Ratified in 2010 | Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities | Ratified in 2005 |
Optional Protocol (CRPD) | Ratified in 2010 | Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
|
Ratified in 2008 |
Latest published documents in reporting procedures
Experts' body | State report | Document by experts' body | State response |
Human Rights Committee | 2012[18] | 2014[19] | |
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | 200?[20] | 2021[21] | . |
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | 2017[22] | 2018[23] | . |
Committee Against Torture | 2018[24] | 2019[25] | . |
Committee on the Rights of the Child | 2013[26] | 2016[27] | . |
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women | 2018[28] | 2020[29] | . |
European Committee on Social Rights | 2020[30] | 2020[31] | . |
Committee for the Prevention of Torture | not foreseen | 2016[32] | 2017[33] |
FCNM Advisory Committee | 2016[34] | 2018[35] | 2014[36] |
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance | not foreseen | 2018[37] | 2019[38] |
Overviews by human rights organisations
Amnesty International
According to
Amnesty International reported racially motivated attacks against
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch reported in 2006 the attacks on peaceful lesbian and gay pride activists in Riga on July 28. Earlier, Riga City Council denied an application by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations for “Riga Pride 2006”. The banned march was targeted by crowds of anti-gay protesters.[9] In 2009 the gay march was allowed by Administrative Court of Riga.[39]
Freedom House
According to
While the constitutional guarantee of
Alleged discrimination suffered by the Russian-speaking community continues to be debated. Parliament has appointed an ombudsman responsible for protecting the rights of individuals in relation to the government. Two men were sentenced to prison terms in January 2007 for attacking a Rwandan citizen. The case marked the first sentencing under a law prohibiting instigation of racial hatred.[2]
United States Department of State
According to Human Right Report of
Specific issues of Latvia
After the restoration of independence in 1991, those who or whose ancestors had not been citizens of Latvia prior to its Soviet occupation in 1940 were not automatically granted citizenship. As of January 2011, non-citizens exceed 14% of the population. Russian language, being native for more than 37% of residents according to the 2000 census, is considered to be a foreign language in the Official Language Law; the possibilities to use it in communication with authorities and in public education were significantly reduced after 1991.
Like in many post-socialist countries, restitution of real estate has taken place in Latvia. Therefore, a considerable part of former tenants of public housing found themselves in private housing, with higher rent.
Since 2003, conflicts concerning freedom of assembly are often: on various occasions, gatherings of LGBT[40] and counter-meetings,[41] Remembrance Day of the Latvian Legionnaires[42] and counter-meetings,[43] meetings of the Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools[44] were banned or limited.
Limitations to eligibility and their enforcement were in the focus of several ECtHR judgments in cases against Latvia (Ādamsons v. Latvia, Ždanoka v. Latvia, Podkolzina v. Latvia) and UN Human Rights Committee views in case Ignatāne v. Latvia.
Participation, economic, social and cultural rights in digits
In the local elections of 2009, 79.7% of elected councillors indicated their ethnicity as ethnic Latvians, 65.5% were male.[45] In the parliamentary elections of 2014, 81 of 100 elected MPs were males, 71 indicated their ethnicity as ethnic Latvians.[46] For comparison, at the beginning of 2010 ethnic Latvians were 59.4% of the population (and 71.8% among citizens)[47] and women—53.9%.[48]
As of January 2021, the minimum monthly salary is 500 EUR and the minimum old-age pension is 149.6 EUR.[49]
The average calculated age pension in October 2020 was 403.41 EUR.[50] Average net salary in 2019 was EUR 793 (varying from EUR 565 in Latgale to EUR 883 in Riga).[51]
The unemployment rate at the end of November 2020, was 7.4% according to the State Employment Agency, varying between 5.7% in Riga region and 15.1% in Latgale.[52] Ethnic minorities and persons not indicating ethnicity composed 45.5% of the unemployed in the end of December 2014.[53]
Life expectancy at birth was estimated as 75.4 years in 2020.[54] In 2011, there were 6.3 outpatient visits to physicians per capita, 58.8 hospital beds and 39.1 physicians per 10 000 population.[55]
Pre-school education and nine-year basic education are compulsory. Secondary education (forms 10–12) is free in public schools. However, according to the Ombudsman, the constitutional principle of free education is violated by the practice of parents having to buy textbooks.[56] According to the 2000 census, 13.9% of those aged 15 and older and giving answers on own education had obtained higher education.[57] In 2011, 94.6% of basic school (9 years) graduates had continued their studies, as well as 63.6% of secondary school graduates had done.[58]
Human rights legislation and offices
National law
Human rights are granted by Chapter VIII of the Constitution[59]—"Fundamental Human Rights", adopted in 1998 and consisting of 28 articles. It includes both first-generation and second-generation human rights as well as some third-generation human rights: rights of persons belonging to ethnic minorities and right to live in a benevolent environment. Article 116 defines goals allowing limitations of certain human rights: these are the rights of other people, the democratic structure of the state, public safety, welfare and morals.
Until adopting this chapter the core law in the field of human rights was the Constitutional Law "The Rights and Obligations of a Citizen and a Person", adopted in 1991.[60]
Institutions
- Since 1990, a committee on human rights exists in the parliament of Latvia (initially it was called Committee on Human Rights and Ethnic Affairs,[61] currently—Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee[62])
- Since 1996, the Constitutional court exists. Private persons can submit applications concerning their constitutional rights to it since 2001.[63]
- In 1993–1995, the office of State Minister for Human Rights had existed.[64][65] In 1998, the office of Representative of the Government before International Human Rights Organisations was founded.[66]
- In 1995, National Human Rights Office was created,[67] transformed into Ombudsman's Office since 2007.
- Several NGOs also concern themselves with the state of human rights in Latvia, among them the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and the Latvian Human Rights Committee.
International rankings
- Democracy Index, 2008: 46 out of 167[3]
- Worldwide Press Freedom Index, 2010: 30 out of 178.[4]
- Worldwide Privacy Index, 2007: 13 out of 37.[5]
- Worldwide Quality-of-life Index, 2005: 66 out of 111.[68]
- Human Development Index, 2008: 44 out of 179.[6]
- Global Corruption Report, 2007: 49 out of 163.[69]
See also
- ECtHR cases involving Latvia and decided on merits by the Grand Chamber:
- Slivenko v. Latvia
- Ždanoka v. Latvia
- Andrejeva v. Latvia
- Kononov v. Latvia
- Internet censorship and surveillance in Latvia
- LGBT rights in Latvia
- Russians in Latvia
- Latvian nationality law
Literature
- ISBN 978-9949-18-818-5. Archived from the original(PDF) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
References
- ^ a b c d "2008 Human Rights Report: Latvia". United States Department of State. 2009-02-25. Archived from the original on 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ a b c d e "Map of Freedom 2008". Freedom House. 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-05-15. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ a b "The Economist Intelligence Unit's Index of Democracy 2008" (PDF). The Economist. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ a b "Press Freedom Index 2010". Reporters Without Borders. 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
- ^ a b "The 2007 International Privacy Ranking". Privacy International. 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ a b "Statistics of the Human Development Report". United Nations Development Programme. 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ a b c "Country Report 2008 Edition". Freedom House. 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ a b c "Amnesty International Report 2009". Amnesty International. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
- ^ Human rights watch. 2006. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
- ^ Note verbale
- ^ Depositary Notification
- ^ Violations by Article and by State - 1959-2019
- ^ "UN Treaty Body DJurisprudence". Retrieved 2020-03-31.
- ^ Countries having extended a standing invitation to Special Procedures
- ^ Burbergs M., Kučs A. Vispārējai cilvēktiesību deklarācijai – 60 // Jurista vārds, 23.12.2008.
- ^ UN human rights treaties database
- ^ CoE human rights treaties database
- ^ "report CCPR/C/LVA/3" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
- ^ Concluding Observations of the Human Rights Committee on the third report of Latvia, CCPR/C/LVA/CO/3
- ^ State Report
- ^ "Treaty bodies Download". tbinternet.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
- ^ State Report
- ^ Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- ^ "Report CAT/C/LVA/6". Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ Concluding observations CAT/C/LVA/CO/6
- ^ Report CRC/C/LVA/3-5
- ^ Concluding Observations by CRC
- ^ State Report under CEDAW, 2018
- ^ Concluding comments by CEDAW, 2020
- ^ 6th State report under ESC(R), on Articles 1, 9, 10, 15, 18§1, 18§4, 20, 24 and 25
- ^ ECSR Conclusions 2019 Latvia (adopted 2020), on Articles 7, 8, 16, 17, 19, 27 and 31
- ^ Report to the Latvian Government on the visit to Latvia carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 12 to 17 September 2013
- ^ Response of the Latvian Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Latvia from 12 to 22 April 2016
- ^ 3rd state report on FCNM
- ^ 3rd FCNM Advisory Committee Opinion
- ^ Comments of the government on the 3rd FCNM Advisory Committee Opinion
- ^ ECRI Fifth Report on Latvia
- ^ Government comments on the ECRI Fifth Report on Latvia
- ^ Gays Without Borders: Baltic Pride Saved After Court Lifts Council Ban
- ^ "Neatļauj rīkot gājienu "Rīgas praids 2006"". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
- ^ Jaunupu sauc pie atbildības, Ulmi – ne
- ^ "Антифашисты возложат венки". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
- ^ Choose table PR10. ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA BY AGE, SEX, ETHNICITY AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATION Archived 2012-11-29 at the Wayback Machine The Central Statistics Bureau of Latvia website
- ^ Statistical data on MPs elected in 2014(in Latvian)
- ^ Population of Latvia by ethnicity and by nationality, 01.01.2010(in Latvian)
- ^ Choose table IE03 POPULATION BY SEX AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia website
- ^ Izmaiņas sociālajā jomā 2021. gadā Ministry of Welfare(in Latvian)
- ^ «Pensiju (pabalstu) vidējais piešķirtais apmērs pa mēnešiem», Sociālā apdrošināšana, 2019 (in Latvian)
- ^ DSG050. Average monthly wages and salaries by statistical region (in English)
- ^ Bezdarba statistika(in Latvian)
- ^ See 2. Bezdarbnieka statistiskais portrets(in Latvian)
- ^ Latvia//The World Factbook
- ^ "VA15, VA17, VA19". Archived from the original on 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ Latvijas Republikas tiesībsarga ziņojums par tiesību iegūt pamata un vispārējo vidējo izglītību bez maksas nodrošināšanu pašvaldības dibinātās izglītības iestādēs(in Latvian)
- ^ Choose "Results of Population Census 2000 in brief" and "EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF POPULATION " Archived 2008-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "See IZ18". Archived from the original on 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "Constitution (Satversme) of the Republic of Latvia". Archived from the original on 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
- Bar of England and WalesHRC, 1994—see Appendix 4, p. 71 (p. 41 in .pdf document)
- ^ Homepage of the first committee's chairperson in Parliament's website Archived 2009-03-21 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
- ^ Saeima Committees
- ^ About Constitutional court
- ^ Composition of the Cabinet of Ministers in 1993—1994 Archived 2009-07-12 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
- ^ Composition of the Cabinet of Ministers in 1994—1995 Archived 2009-07-12 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
- ^ Regulations on representing the Cabinet of Ministers before International Human Rights Organisations
- ^ Noteikumi par Valsts cilvēktiesību biroju Archived 2011-05-20 at the Wayback Machine(in Latvian)
- ^ "Worldwide Quality of Life - 2005" (PDF). The Economist. www.economist.com. 2005. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ "Global Corruption Report 2007". Transparency International. 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
External links
- Public authorities
- Ombudsman’s Office
- Case-law of the Constitutional Court
- Representative of the Government before International Human Rights Organisations
- Intergovernmental organizations
- Human rights in Latvia in the website of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Documents on Latvia by CoE Commissioner for Human Rights
- ODIHR documents concerning election observation in Latvia
- Other states
- US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Latvia
- Human Rights situation in certain countries Russian MFA, 2020
- NGOs from Latvia
- International NGOs
- Information on Latvia in the 2019 Amnesty International Report, pp. 46–47
- Information on Latvia on the website of the British Helsinki Human Rights Group
- Information on Latvia in the website "Minority Electronic Resources"
- Latvia: The Perilous State of Nationality Rights, a 2011 report focusing on statelessness by Refugees International